The 4th Regional Meeting of the European Judicial Network (EJN) Contact Points took place in Warsaw/Poland, on 7-8 October 2024. Hosted by the National Prosecutor’s Office, the meeting was opened by Mr. Mirosław Jerzy Iwanicki, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation. Attendees included EJN National Correspondents and Contact Points from Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, alongside representatives from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
The meeting focused on two key topics: a. the role of the EPPO and the potential for enhanced cooperation with the EJN and b. the support provided by the EJN in relation to the conclusions from the 10th Round of Peer Reviews on the European Investigation Order. Additionally, there were presentations on two other relevant topics: the new online submission form for mutual legal assistance (MLA) and freezing/confiscation requests to the UK Central Authority and Poland’s experiences with the e-EDES platform.
The EJN Secretariat was represented by Mr. Vasileios Sarigiannidis, Seconded National Expert, who contributed with two comprehensive presentations on the central themes. His first presentation highlighted the ways in which the EJN has already enhanced the EPPO’s visibility among its Contact Points, Partners and other Judicial Cooperation Networks, while also exploring further untapped potential for closer collaboration between the EJN and EPPO. The second presentation provided new insights into the recommendations from the 10th Round of Mutual Evaluations on the European Investigation Order, with a special focus on cross-border cases in which EJN Contact Points were actively involved or where information from the EJN’s website was used—an essential aspect of the EJN’s work.
The discussions throughout the meeting deepened participants' understanding of the EPPO's mission, while also underscoring the critical role the EJN plays in tackling cross-border crime. The meeting offered participants a unique opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to the operation of key European networks and institutions.
We extend our sincere thanks to all who contributed to the success of this event, including the National Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, the Polish EJN National Correspondent Ms. Beata Hlawacz and all the distinguished participants.