On 12th June 2025 the EJN held the annual meeting of the EJN Contact Points of the EU Member States and the Western Balkans. The meeting took place in Budva (Montenegro) and brought together 40 EJN Contact Points. The meeting was opened by the Minister of Justice of Montenegro Mr. Bojan Božović and the Supreme State Prosecutor of Montenegro Mr. Milorad Marković, who acknowledged the relevance of strong ties between the judicial authorities in the region and the EU and underlined the central role of the EJN as a channel for facilitating judicial cooperation. On the side of the EJN, the meeting was opened by Ms. Beata Hlawacz as a representative of the Polish EJN Presidency and Mr. Hugh Dockry, Secretary to the EJN.
The central topic for discussion of the meeting was dedicated to the legal framework, challenges and best practices in relation to cross-border investigations of trafficking in human beings. The EJN Contact Points had fruitful exchanges addressing the legal challenges and obstacles they are facing in their investigations as well as additional aspects such as protection and compensation of victims and corruption. An important contribution to the discussion was made by the representative of AP Phoenix of Europol, who mapped the criminal activities and highlighted the support provided by Europol to trace the criminal organizations involved in trafficking in human beings. The role of the EJN Contact Points and the resources of the EJN website in supporting national authorities was highlighted by the participants.
The meeting was also a forum to discuss aspects of cross-border surveillance and in particular the outcomes from the 59th EJN Plenary meeting under the Czech EU Presidency that addressed the differences in the legislation, procedures and legal definitions related to cross-border surveillance.
The meeting also brought together the EJN partners in the region SEEPAG, EU4FAST and WB CrimJust where they highlighted their main activities.
