eu-LISA and Eurojust are taking cooperation further

20 September 2017

Yesterday, the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) and the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their cooperation.

The objective of the MoU, signed by the Executive Director of eu-LISA, Krum Garkov, and the President of Eurojust, Michèle Coninsx, is to promote effective cooperation and the exchange of information, expertise and best practice in the area of ICT activities and services. The MoU will strengthen the existing cooperation in strategic matters, providing added value for both organisations and their stakeholders.

Part of the MoU concerns the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), referring to the foreseen access rights of Eurojust and the exchange of information relevant to the effective implementation thereof.

According to the MoU, eu-LISA and Eurojust may also assist each other with know-how, best practice and lessons learned in the management of human resources, premises, internal and external audits, finance and procurement.

The Executive Director of eu-LISA, Krum Garkov, emphasised: ‘Signing today the Memorandum of Understanding is an important step in reinforcing the established partnership between our two Agencies. I am certain that close cooperation between eu-LISA and Eurojust is essential for the development of modern and efficient justice systems in Europe. The experience and knowledge we have in Information and Communication Technologies should be shared on a regular basis thus providing added value to both parties and its stakeholders.’

The President of Eurojust, Michèle Coninsx, said: ‘I am very pleased to host this signing ceremony today at Eurojust to formalise our cooperation with such a trusted partner. eu-LISA is responsible for managing huge international databases, such as SIS II, EES, ETIAS, ECRIS-TCN and VIS, allowing us to access vital data to aid with our mission of fighting serious organised cross-border crime.’

Background:
The European Agency eu-LISA manages large-scale information systems in the area of freedom, security and justice. It operates Eurodac, the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) and the Visa Information System (VIS). eu-LISA is responsible for keeping the IT systems under its control fully functional in order to allow continuous and uninterrupted exchange of data between national authorities. eu-LISA ensures that it applies the highest level of information security and data protection to the information it is entrusted with.

In order to allow eu-LISA to accommodate the growing need for integration and synergies between existing and future large-scale IT systems, the Commission presented in June 2017 a legislative proposal to broaden the Agency’s mandate. The proposal foresees eu LISA taking responsibility for development, implementation and operational management of three new large-scale IT systems: the Entry Exit System (EES), the European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the European Criminal Records Information System – Third Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN).

The seat of the Agency is in Tallinn (Estonia), whilst the operational management is carried out in Strasbourg (France). eu-LISA also has a business continuity site in Sankt Johann im Pongau (Austria) and a liaison office in Brussels.

The European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) was established to stimulate and improve the coordination of investigations and prosecutions and the cooperation between the competent authorities in the Member States. In particular, Eurojust facilitates the execution of requests for international mutual legal assistance and extradition. Eurojust supports in any way possible the competent authorities of the Member States to render their investigations and prosecutions more effective when dealing with serious cross-border crime.

Eurojust’s competence covers various types of crimes and offences, including terrorism, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, counterfeiting, money laundering, computer crime, crime against property or public goods, including fraud and corruption, criminal offences affecting the European Community’s financial interests, environmental crime and participation in a criminal organisation.

The seat of Eurojust is in The Hague (Netherlands).

Links:
eu-LISA: http://www.eulisa.europa.eu
Eurojust: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu

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