Finland Times

 

Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson. File Photo Lehtikuva.

Finnish Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson said EU cooperation in justice and home affairs has proved its strength over the years to uphold human rights, democratic institutions and rule of law.

 

“The meeting of the European Council held in Tampere 15 years ago was a milestone in the development of the EU-level cooperation in justice and home affairs,” said Anna-Maja Henriksson.

 

The Finnish Minister was addressing a conference held in Tampere to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the European Council Conclusions adopted in Tampere in 1999, said a government press release.

 

The council session also decided to create a European area of freedom, security and justice. This work has been firmly rooted in the commitment to shared values: human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law. 

 

The Heads of EU Member States have initiated a new stage in the cooperation in justice and home affairs in what is termed as Tampere Programme.

 

“The judicial cooperation within the EU must focus on citizens. Our citizens must be able to trust not only our own justice system, but also the protection offered by other Member States’ legal systems. Rights and protection must follow, when our citizens cross borders,” said Henriksson. 

 

The minister said that in the present economically challenging times one must be careful not to take steps backward.  “We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing as the voices of intolerance and xenophobia grow louder. Inaction is not an option if we are to stay true to our values,” Henriksson emphasised.

 

In March this year, the Commission proposed a new EU framework to strengthen the rule of law and the early warning tool enables the Commission to enter into a dialogue with a Member State in a situation where the rule of law development is at serious risk. The objective is to act before the situation escalates.

 

The Minister also reminded of the growing threat of terrorism.

 

“We must constantly reassess the situation and our response to it. More importantly, we must do this together and united in the EU,” Henriksson said.

 

At the Tampere European Council, mutual recognition of judgments and decisions was asserted to be the cornerstone of the judicial cooperation in the EU.