State Secretary Crnčec at Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg

On 13 October 2025, a meeting of justice ministers of the Member States of the European Union took place in Luxembourg, attended by State Secretary Ivan Crnčec on behalf of the Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation

In the framework of non-legislative activities, the development of the rule of law and the future of Eurojust was discussed.

Eurojust is of particular importance in the fight against organised and cross-border crime. The development of digital technologies and their use in criminal activities pose new challenges and it is necessary to provide the necessary tools for Eurojust’s work and for judicial cooperation.

Croatia strongly supports the establishment of modern case management systems for the storage of operational information and a secure digital communication channel between the Member States and Eurojust.

In order to ensure continued effective judicial cooperation in the future, it is important to consider possible next steps in terms of legislation and practical cooperation, in particular the transfer of criminal proceedings from one Member State to another, for which there is currently no European Union instrument.

Furthermore, the state of play on the topic of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and on access to data for effective criminal investigations was presented.

Croatia is committed to ensuring accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine. Croatia has also actively participated in the work of the Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

During an international conference in Kiev, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine was signed, which will intensify cooperation primarily in the exchange of knowledge, experience and practice in the field of justice, with an emphasis on Chapter 23 (Judiciary and fundamental rights) and accession negotiations with the European Union in the area of justice.

It was concluded at the meeting that ensuring lawful access to electronic communications data for the purpose of effective law enforcement and criminal investigations is a priority for the Council and is particularly necessary in the context of the fight against serious and organised crime and terrorism.
 

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