Judicial cooperation: European judicial training network. Initiative France

The committee adopted the report by Evelyne GEBHARDT (PES, D) broadly approving the French intiative, subject to a number of amendments under the consultation procedure. It felt that the network should provide training not only in criminal law but also in civil law, and accordingly adopted several amendments to the text to reflect this wider scope. It also wanted the objectives to be pursued by the network to include furthering mutual knowledge of the legal and judicial systems not just of the Member States but also of the EU. Other points made by the committee included a call for the Commission to provide the General Secretariat for an initial, temporary period, followed by an assessment. Thereafter, the Governing Board should be able to change the location of the General Secretariat. Lastly, the committee suggested that provision be made for inviting representatives of the Council of Europe to attend meetings of the Scientific Committee.�