Judicial cooperation: creation of a provisional Unit. Initiative Portugal, France, Sweden and Belgium

The European Parliament voted 425 to 73 with 54 abstentions in favour of the resolution, drafted by Mrs Evelyne GEBHARDT (PES, D), to set up a provisional judicial cooperation unit as a forerunner to Eurojust - a European unit of public prosecutors and magistrates to reinforce the fight against serious organised crime. (Refer to the decisions of the committee responsible). It was also highlighted by the Parliament that this unit should consist of a prosecutor or magistrate - or a police officer of equivalent competence - from each Member State assigned to its Permanent Representation for liaison purposes. Non-binding amendments adopted seek to strengthen legal cooperation. The provisional unit may ascertain how to establish effective cooperation with Europol with a particular view to avoiding duplication of effort and conflicts over their respective powers. Parliament also stresses that the unit should not automatically be transformed into Eurojust, but that use should be made of the unit's experience in order to make adaptations if necessary. �