In the field of Justice the Greek Presidency intends to continue the efforts undertaken by all EU Member States towards a fair Europe that cares for and is close to its citizens. A place where policies are based on democracy, fairness and respect for human rights”, stressed Greek Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights Mr Charalampos Athanassiou, who presented today, (6.12.2013) the priorities of the incoming Greek EU Presidency.
 
Minister Athanassiou, addressing the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels, thanked the Lithuanian Presidency for its “strenuous efforts in all legislative acts in the field of Justice” and added: “We hope as well, in the same spirit, to actively contribute to the progress of measures and initiatives within the context of Justice for Growth, data protection as well as in the area of criminal law”. In this context, Minister Athanassiou expressed the willingness of the Greek Presidency to work on future developments in the area of freedom, security and justice (post-Stockholm period) and to define strategic guidelines for legislative and operational planning.
 
Making progress on the data protection reform is a key priority for the incoming Greek Presidency. Particular attention will also be paid to the revision of the Insolvency Regulation, with the desirable aim to reach a final agreement. As far as the Regulation creating a European Account Preservation Order (EAPO) is concerned, Mr Athanassiou reassured Member States that “all efforts will be made to complete negotiations on the remaining issues of the regulation, with a view to reaching an agreement at first reading with the European Parliament on the whole of the regulation and the recitals before the end of the current parliamentary term”.
 
In the field of criminal law, Greece expects to make significant progress, and possibly reach a final agreement, on the proposed Directive against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law. The Greek Presidency will also seek the adoption of the Directive on the protection of the Euro and other currencies against counterfeiting. Key priority is the Regulation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, combined with the proposal for a Regulation on the reform of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation ("Eurojust"). “For the first time an entity will have the powers and the resources necessary to investigate, prosecute and bring cases of fraud and other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Union, whether national or cross-border, to courts”, said Minister Athanassiou.
 
Finally, as regards the EU’s relations with third countries in the field of judicial cooperation, Mr Athanassiou reassured Member States that Greece stands ready to continue the constructive dialogue for the benefit of European citizens.