9th Annual Meeting of the French EJN Contact Points, 2 October, Paris

On 2 October 2026, the French Contact Points of the EJN gathered at the French Ministry of Justice in Paris for their 9th annual meeting. Among the 32 French EJN Contact Points were general prosecutors, liaison magistrates, representatives of the central authority and Mr Baudoin Thouvenot, the French National Member of Eurojust.

The meeting was opened by Ms Solène Belaouar, Deputy Director of Criminal Affairs and Pardons, who highlighted EJN’s importance as a forum for mutual assistance and underlined the essential role of Contact Points in strengthening judicial cooperation across the European Union. Mr Hugh Dockry, Head of the EJN Secretariat, subsequently presented the Network’s structure, activities and ongoing projects, emphasising the Secretariat’s role in supporting its members and the importance of their active involvement.

The discussions focused on the future of the EJN and the challenges faced by the Network, including ways to strengthen its activity and engagement in the context of the ongoing discussions in Brussels on the new Eurojust Regulation.

Participants also explored the digitalisation of judicial cooperation, with presentations on EU initiatives such as e-CODEX, JUDEX and the e-Evidence legislative package, which aim to facilitate more efficient exchanges between judicial authorities.

Other key topics included transfer of proceedings in criminal matters and the forthcoming application of the relevant EU Regulation on 1 February 2027. Participants discussed the practical implications of these developments and the importance of this instrument in preventing impunity.

The meeting also addressed MLA and surrender of individuals, covering as well concerns regarding assurances on detention conditions in the context of EAWs. The Dutch liaison magistrate shared insights on this issue, building on a bilateral meeting between French and Dutch EJN Contact Points held on 1 October with the support of the EJN Secretariat and also attended by Hugh.

In addition, participants received an update on French initiatives to promote and train judicial authorities in the use of mutual recognition instruments, taking into account recent case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for Contact Points to exchange experiences and good practices, and to discuss practical challenges. These discussions helped identifying ways to strengthen the Network’s engagement and further enhancing effective judicial cooperation across Europe.