Mutual assistance in criminal matters: accession of Croatia to the 2000 Convention and 2001 Protocol thereto

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs unanimously adopted the report by Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) on the recommendation for a Council decision on the accession of Croatia to the Convention of 29 May 2000, established by the Council in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union, on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union and its Protocol of 16 October 2001.

The Committee recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the Commission recommendation.

To recall, the Act of 2012 concerning the conditions of accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union simplified its accession to the conventions and protocols concluded by the Member States on the basis of Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union (ex Article K.3 TEU). It is no longer necessary to negotiate and conclude specific accession protocols (which would have to be ratified by the 28 Member States): Article 3(4) and (5) of the Act of Accession simply state that Croatia accedes to the conventions and protocols by virtue of the Act. 

Annex I to the Act of Accession lists the six conventions and protocols concerned in the area of justice and home affairs. The list includes the Convention of 29 May 2000, established by the Council in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union, on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union.

This Commission Recommendation for a Council Decision is intended to make the adjustments required by reason of the accession of Croatia to the aforementioned Convention and Protocol, in accordance with Article 3(4) and (5) of the Act of Accession.