Police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters: framework programme AGIS for 2003-2007

PURPOSE : to establish a framework programme for police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (AGIS). COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 2002/630/JHA establishing a framework programme on police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (AGIS). CONTENT : the Council adopted a Decision establishing a framework programme for police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (AGIS). The AGIS Programme is established for the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2007, with a total amount for the whole period of EUR 65 million. The programme will support projects in the following areas: a) judicial cooperation in general and criminal matters, including training; b) cooperation between law enforcement authorities; c) cooperation between law enforcement authorities or other public or private organisations in the Member States involved in preventing and fighting crime, organised or otherwise; and d) cooperation between Member States to achieve effective protection of the interests of victims in criminal proceedings. This Decision establishes a framework programme for police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the context of the area of freedom, security and justice. The programme is established for the period from 1 January 2003 to31 December 2007 and may be extended beyond the latter date. The programme shall contribute to the general objective of providing European Union citizens with a high level of protection in an area of freedom, security and justice. In this context, it aims, in particular, to: a) develop, implement and evaluate European policies in this field; b) promote and strengthen networking, mutual cooperation on general subjects of common interest to the Member States, the exchange and dissemination of information, experience and best practice, local and regional cooperation, and the improvement and adaptation of training and technical and scientific research; c) encourage Member States to step up cooperation with the applicant countries, other third countries and appropriate regional and international organisations. The programme shall support projects in the following areas relating to Title VI of the Treaty on European Union: a) judicial cooperation in general and criminal matters including training; b) cooperation between law enforcement authorities; c) cooperation between law enforcement authorities or other public or private organisations in the Member States involved in preventing and fighting crime, organised or otherwise; d) cooperation between Member States to achieve effective protection of the interests of victims in criminal proceedings. The programme shall co-finance projects of a maximum duration of two years presented by public or private institutions and bodies, including professional organisations, non-governmental organisations, associations, organisations representing business, research and basic and further training institutes. To be eligible for co-financing, the projects must involve partners in at least three Member States, or two Member States and one applicant country. The applicant countries mayparticipate in the projects in order to familiarise themselves with the acquis in this area and help them to prepare for the accession. Other third countries may also participate when this serves the aims of the projects. The programme shall be directed at the following target groups: a) legal practitioners: judges, public prosecutors, lawyers, law officials, criminal investigation officers, bailiffs, experts, court interpreters and other professionals associated with the judiciary; b) law-enforcement officials and officers: public bodies in Member States which are responsible under national law for preventing, detecting and combating criminal offences; c) officials in other government departments and representatives of associations, professional organisations, research and business involved in fighting and preventing crime, organised or otherwise; d) representatives of victim assistance services, including public departments responsible for immigration and social services. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme. It shall inform the European Parliament of the work programme adopted and the list of projects co-financed and shall present to the European Parliament and the Council: a) an annual report on the implementation of the programme. The first report shall be submitted by 30 June 2004; b) an interim evaluation of the implementation of the programme by 30 June 2005; c) a communication on the continuation of the programme, if necessary accompanied by an appropriate proposal, by 30 September 2006; d) a final evaluation of the entire programme by 30 June 2008. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 1 August 2002.�