Historic Signing Ceremony Marks a New Chapter In European Judicial Cooperation

Malta hosted a landmark event in European justice collaboration: the Signing Ceremony for the Opening of the Third Additional Protocol to the 1959 European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.

The ceremony was opened by Malta’s Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Jonathan Attard, who welcomed ministers, dignitaries, and legal experts from across Europe.

Opening remarks were delivered by Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Both speakers emphasised the importance of strengthening judicial cooperation and reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s commitment to upholding justice, human rights, and the rule of law throughout the continent.

In his address, Minister Attard highlighted the enduring significance of the 1959 Convention, describing it as a cornerstone of judicial cooperation in Europe. He noted that the newly adopted Valletta Protocol represents a forward-looking response to the evolving nature of crime, particularly its transnational, digital, and complex dimensions.

The Protocol introduces a series of reforms aimed at modernising judicial cooperation. It facilitates faster and more secure communication between authorities through direct exchanges, electronic requests, and urgent recourse to INTERPOL. Key advances include the simplification and acceleration of mutual assistance procedures, the extension of situations in which mutual assistance may be requested, the broadening of electronic communication channels, the authorisation of technical surveillance tools such as GPS trackers and telecommunications interception, and the introduction of time limits to ensure timely execution of requests.

To ensure fairness and efficiency, the Protocol clarifies cost-sharing mechanisms and strengthens the protection of rights through robust data protection provisions, ensuring that personal data is used strictly for its intended purpose. It also provides a mechanism for dispute resolution through friendly settlement under the Council of Europe’s Committee on Crime Problems.

“These provisions are not only innovative and practical, but they also uphold the highest standards of the rule of law, due process, and human dignity,” Minister Attard stated.

Malta takes pride in hosting this historic moment on the margins of the Ministerial Conference, under the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Sixteen Member States signed the Protocol during the ceremony, demonstrating strong collective commitment to enhanced cooperation and shared values.

Minister Attard signed the Protocol in the presence of Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, Malta’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, marking Malta’s formal endorsement of this important legal instrument.