Justitie-akkoord tussen EU en IJsland en Noorwegen over uitleveringsprocedures (en) - Main contents

Total success for Gastinger in the negotiations for the EU with Norway and Iceland

On 28 June 2006, in her capacity as Council Presidency, Justice Minister Gastinger signed a judicial agreement on behalf of the European Union on the surrender procedure between Member States of the EU and Norway and Iceland respectively.

This agreement, which is of enormous importance in respect of cooperation in investigative and extradition matters, was also signed by Justice Minister Knut Storberget for Norway and Ambassador Sveinn Björnsson for Iceland.

The Austrian Presidency under Gastinger's leadership succeeded in resolving the contentious issues concerning compliance with time limits in seeking legal remedy and the decision on enforcement of an arrest warrant. This represents another important step towards fighting crime effectively.

Gastinger already succeeded in achieving a general orientation in the Justice and Home Affairs Council in April, which was accepted by all EU countries as well as by Norway and Iceland.

Gastinger welcomes the agreement and the resulting possibility of applying to a very large extent the provisions of the Framework Decision on the European arrest warrant in dealings with Norway and Iceland.