What is SEEPAG?What is SEEPAG?

The Southeast European Prosecutors Advisory Group is a judicial mechanism for international cooperation, having the mission to facilitate and speed up the cooperation in serious trans-border crime investigations and cases.

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SEEPAG EstablishmentSEEPAG Establishment

Founded by the Declaration of the prosecutor representatives.

Belgrade 11-12, December 2003

Network of experienced prosecutors

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SEEPAG RegionSEEPAG Region

12 MEMBERSRepublic of Albania

Bosnia and HerzegovinaRepublic of BulgariaRepublic of CroatiaHellenic Republic

HungaryRepublic of Moldova

Former Yugoslav Republicof MacedoniaMontenegro

RomaniaRepublic of Serbia Republic of Turkey

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SEEPAG’s Role (1)SEEPAG’s Role (1)

Provide operational support and assistance to each other and to SELEC

Promote cooperation and better relations among the prosecution offices in Southeast Europe

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SEEPAG’s Role (2)SEEPAG’s Role (2)

Provide advice, assistance, and guidance on criminal policy and legal issues related to law enforcement matters in the region

Exchange views, cases and best practices

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Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

12 members, one experienced prosecutor or judge from the international cooperation departments, appointed by the Member States;

SEEPAG Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson;

Rotation of the Chairmanship- in alphabetical order- one (1) year term;

SEEPAG Secretariat, based in Bucharest, provided by SELEC;

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Prosecutorial Focal PointsProsecutorial Focal Points

Prosecutorial Focal Point (PFP) set up in each SEEPAG Member State;

PFPs are “active intermediaries” having the role to facilitate the judicial cooperation between the states participating in SEEPAG.

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SEEPAG MeetingsSEEPAG Meetings

SEEPAG Meetings are usually held 2 times/per year;

Among the topics discussed: Legal instruments and procedures which can simplify and accelerate the criminal procedure, Witness protection, Countering terrorism, Smuggling of migrants, Criminal associations, Money laundering, Cybercrime, Exchange of classified information, Mutual legal assistance a/o)

SEEPAG had 25 meetings until now;

Next meeting will focus on practical aspects related to trans- national drug trafficking investigations;

Additional workshops (in 2006 and 2010).

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SEEPAG BenefitsSEEPAG Benefits

Personal connections and mutual trust;

Informal way of functioning;

Exchange of national legal framework and expertise;

Conclusion of bi-lateral or multi-lateral agreements on mutual legal assistance between the respective Prosecution Offices or/and Ministries of Justice.

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SEEPAG RelationsSEEPAG Relations

European Judicial Network: Memorandum on the need for enhancing the collaboration and improving the interconnection between the European Judicial Network and similar judicial cooperation networks in criminal matters, 2013;

Eurojust;

Regional Cooperation Council;

League of the Arab States and UNODC: Ways of establishing an Arab Judicial cooperation network in the field of combating terrorism,2011

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SEEPAG WebsiteSEEPAG Website

The SEEPAG website has 3 parts:

Public part (information about the activities, contact details of the SEEPAG Members, their national legislation, and international basic documents related to organized crime);

Restricted part (list with contacts for MLA, presentations, Minutes, agreements concluded);

Forum (connecting all SEEPAG Members and SELEC Liaison Officers);

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For more information:

www.seepag.info

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Contact: secretariat@seepag.info

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