Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights Charalampos Athanasiou presented on January 21 in Brussels the Greek Presidency priorities to the JURI (Legal Affairs) and LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) Committees of the European Parliament.

Minister Athanasiou noted that “the economic and financial crisis in Europe has become a catalyst for profound changes. National economies are being restructured in order to gain on competitiveness and achieve growth. In this process the national justice systems have to play a key role”.

• LIBE Committee

Data Protection

Speaking to the LIBE Committee, the Minister emphasized the priority being given by the Greek Presidency to the reform of EU Data Protection laws. “The Greek Presidency has set as a main priority the systematic continuation of discussions on the legislative package of data protection, aiming to achieve progress”, said Mr Athanasiou. The Presidency will work on all Chapters of the Regulation, including the “one-stop-shop” principle and the consistency mechanism. Minister Athanasiou also congratulated the Committee on its recent inquiry into the activities of America’s National Security Agency (NSA).

European Public Prosecutor's Office

“Fighting fraud against the EU budget has to be top priority, especially under the current economic circumstances”, said the Minister. The European Public Prosecutor's Office will have the powers and 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. The Presidency is fully aware of the fact that some national Parliaments issued opinions for non-compliance with the principle of subsidiarity, but considers the European Public Prosecutor's Office a step forward in judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

Fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law

This proposal aims at the prevention of and fight against fraud and any other illegal activities affecting the Union's financial interests. The Presidency expects to make significant progress on the proposed Directive and possibly reach a final agreement.

Protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting

“The aim of the proposal is to increase the protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting by requiring Member states to put in place stronger, more harmonised investigative, judicial and research measures to this end”, said the Minister. Greece will work intensively on the proposal, with a view to its possible adoption.

Future Development of the JHA area (post-Stockholm period)

“The Greek Presidency will work on future developments in the area of freedom, security and justice”, stressed Minister Athanasiou. The Presidency intends to develop concise strategic guidelines. The area of freedom, security and justice must meet the challenge of guaranteeing fundamental rights. “Democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights are non-negotiable principles and values of the EU”, said the Minister.

• JURI Committee

European Account Preservation Order

Speaking to the JURI Committee, the Minister stressed that this proposal will allow creditors to preserve funds in bank accounts under the same conditions in all Member States of the EU. It will also reduce costs and delays in cross-border debt claims and give creditors more certainty about recovering their debt. The Greek Presidency aims at securing adoption of the Regulation at first reading.

Insolvency

Regarding the European Commission’s Insolvency proposal, Minister Athanasiou pointed out that disparities between national insolvency laws can create legal uncertainty and an unfriendly business environment: “The Greek Presidency acknowledges the importance of the proposed Regulation in helping viable businesses to survive and giving honest entrepreneurs a second chance”. Therefore, particular attention will be paid to the significant progress of work on the revision of the Insolvency Regulation with the desirable aim to reach a final agreement.

European Sales Law

The proposal for a Common European Sales Law will give businesses and consumers the choice of using a single set of rules for their cross-border contracts when offering goods across the European Union. “The Presidency is well aware of the objections of Member States and the European Parliament”, said Minister Athanasiou. However, having regard of the difficulties identified at the examination of this instrument, the Presidency will continue negotiations on the proposal.