The fight against terrorism and trafficking and smuggling of migrants, drugs and firearms were the focus of the 19th International Forum for Prosecutors on Fighting Cross-Border Organised Crime, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 2 to 4 October. Mr Klaus Meyer-Cabri, Eurojust Vice-President, attended the meeting, and stressed the role of Eurojust in rendering cross-border crime prosecutions more effective and the need for cooperation with the EU's neighbouring States. He also chaired the session on counter-terrorism, including current threats in the European Union and the external dimension of the EU's counter-terrorism strategy.

The meeting, organised by the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX) instrument of the European Commission, was opened by Justice Joana Marques Vidal, the Portuguese Prosecutor General, and H.E. Ms Francisca Van Dunem, the Portuguese Minister of Justice. It was attended by high-ranking prosecutors and law enforcement agencies from Europe and the Middle East, as well as Commission and EU agency representatives.

At the Salzburg Informal Summit on internal security and migration in September, Mr Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with third States. The European Council has set up dialogues with African partners as well as the League of Arab States, and will hold a summit in Egypt early next year.

In line with the policy to enhance cooperation with the Middle East, especially Egypt, Mr Meyer-Cabri met with H.E. Justice Nabeel Ahmed Sadek, the General Prosecutor of Egypt, to discuss how to enhance judicial cooperation between Eurojust and Egypt to support effective prosecutions cross-border.

Photo: Eurojust Vice-President, Mr Meyer-Cabri, and H.E. Justice Nabeel Ahmed Sadek, the General Prosecutor of Egypt