Implementing decision 2023/134 - Amendment of Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 as regards the use of videoconferencing for the hearing of candidates - Main contents
19.1.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 17/92 |
COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2023/134
of 17 January 2023
amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 as regards the use of videoconferencing for the hearing of candidates
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (1), and in particular Article 14(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) |
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 (2) established the operating rules of the selection panel for appointing the European Chief Prosecutor and European Prosecutors. |
(2) |
Rule VI, points 1 and 2, of those operating rules provides that the hearing of candidates for the posts of European Chief Prosecutor and European Prosecutor (‘candidates’) is to take place in person. |
(3) |
In the wake of the recent epidemiological situation, which made it very difficult to conduct hearings in person, it is necessary to provide that the hearing of candidates by the selection panel could also take place via videoconference upon a reasoned decision of the selection panel, either on its own initiative or at the request of a candidate. |
(4) |
The way in which the hearings are conducted, in person or via videoconference, could affect the performance of candidates. The selection panel should ensure equal treatment of candidates. |
(5) |
Rule IV of the operating rules does not clarify whether the selection panel can deliberate via videoconference. It is therefore necessary to clarify that, when the hearing of candidates takes place via videoconference, the selection panel can deliberate via the same means. |
(6) |
Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 should therefore be amended accordingly, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 is amended as follows:
(1) |
in Rule IV, the first paragraph is replaced by the following: ‘The deliberations of the selection panel shall be confidential and shall take place in camera. When the hearing of the candidates takes place via videoconference, the selection panel may deliberate using the same means of communication. The selection panel shall ensure equal treatment of candidates. The meetings of the selection panel shall be valid only if at least nine members are present.’. |
(2) |
Rule VI is amended as follows:
|
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 17 January 2023.
For the Council
The President
-
E.SVANTESSON
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Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 of 13 July 2018 on the operating rules of the selection panel provided for in Article 14(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 282, 12.11.2018, p. 8).
This summary has been adopted from EUR-Lex.