Regional conference in Vilnius promotes legal co-operation among central and east European countries in combatting terrorism

VILNIUS, 25 November 2014 – Promoting international legal co-operation between countries of central and eastern Europe in combatting terrorism is the focus of a two-day regional conference which opened today in Vilnius.

The conference is organized by the OSCE, supported by the UN Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and hosted by the Lithuanian authorities.

Some 50 experts from central and eastern Europe, and five international and regional organizations will discuss practices and challenges in extradition and mutual judicial assistance processes in terrorism cases, and how to enhance the effectiveness of central authorities in handling them.

“Efficient and smooth international legal co-operation in criminal matters is essential for a proper prosecution of terrorism offences,” said the Prosecutor-General of Lithuania Darius Valys. “Cases of this category require direct and immediate work of institutions of foreign countries while at the same time ensuring that human rights and fundamental freedoms are duly protected, and the relevant issues of national laws as well as national case-law are assessed.” 

Manuel Marion, OSCE Senior Programme Officer at the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, said: “Countering terrorism requires co-operation among national authorities, among States, and among international and regional organizations.”

He noted that Security Council Resolution 1373 called upon States to “afford one another the greatest measure of assistance in connection with criminal investigations or criminal proceedings relating to the financing or support of terrorist acts.”  

“This conference is another example where the OSCE joins UN’s efforts to assists its participating States to fulfil their counter-terrorism commitments,” said Marion.

The discussion aims to contribute to the efficient co-operation among central authorities of different countries in dealing with terrorism cases to serve the interests of national security for all. The conference is being held as part of a global initiative on building effective central authorities, launched by the UNCTED and UNODC in February 2013 in Colombia.