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Ministers of Justice to discuss the future of the EU area of justice in Helsinki

Ministry of Justice
Publication date 22.4.2014 8.26
Press release -

The Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson have invited Ministers of Justice from several other EU Member States to Helsinki to discuss the future of the European area of justice in an informal meeting on Monday, 28 April.

– I am very pleased to have the opportunity to arrange this high-level meeting together with Prime Minister Katainen. I am also delighted to see that so many of my European colleagues are coming to Helsinki to discuss the strategy for the European area of justice, the rule of law and our common European values, says Minister Henriksson.

The participants of this informal meeting are the French Minister of Justice Christiane Taubira, the Greek Minister of Justice Charalampos Athanassiou, the Swedish Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask, the Dutch Minister of Justice Ivo Opstelten, the Danish Minister of Justice Karen Hækkerup, the Latvian Minister of Justice Baiba Broka, the Estonian Minister of Justice Andres Anvelt, and the Lithuanian Vice Minister of Justice Paulius Griciūnas.

Prime Minister Katainen hosts a business lunch in connection with the meeting.

The objective is to decide on new strategic guidelines for the European area of justice in the meeting of the EU Heads of States to be held in June. The building of closer cooperation began at the Tampere European Council in 1999, and now, fifteen years later, trust between the Member States is considered to be one of the biggest challenges. Corruption and doubts about the commitment of all the states to the common values are factors that weaken the mutual trust.

The public is welcome to follow the discussion in the afternoon, when the future of the European area of justice, fundamental rights and the rule of law as well as anti-corruption activities will be discussed. The event takes place at the Great Hall of the University of Helsinki on Monday, 28 April at 14.15-16.15. The event features speeches by Prime Minister Katainen, Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights Morten Kjaerum, and a panel discussion on the future of the European area of justice will be conducted between the Ministers of Justice.

The language of the event is English. The event is organised by the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Justice and the University of Helsinki.

Further information:
Robin Harms, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. 02951 50176
Jussi Mäkinen, Adviser for International Affairs, tel. 02951 50528
e-mail: [email protected]

Anna-Maja Henriksson
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