EU/Armenia Agreement on cooperation between Eurojust and the competent authorities for judicial cooperation in criminal matters of Armenia

The European Parliament adopted by 569 votes to 6, with 28 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia on the cooperation between the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) and the authorities of the Republic of Armenia competent for judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

This Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia marks the first international agreement on cooperation between the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) and the competent authorities in a third country since the entry into application of the Eurojust Regulation on 12 December 2019. In order for international judicial cooperation to be effective, agreements on cooperation with third countries are essential.

The Agreement will improve cooperation with Armenia's authorities involved in the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes.

It is particularly important that this is only possible when agreements are subject to strict safeguards in relation to data protection, privacy and fundamental rights.

In the case of this Agreement, it is clear that all conditions are met and the necessary safeguards are in place. This will be continuously monitored once this Agreement has entered into force and possible breaches of the agreement could eventually lead to suspension of the cooperation.