# C_2009050EN.01000801.xml

| 3.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 50/8 |
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3.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 50/8

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Council conclusions of 26 February 2009 supporting the Council of Europe's legislative work in the area of criminal justice

(2009/C 50/07)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

MINDFUL of the important achievements that have been brought about by the Council of Europe in creating a treaty framework for legal co-operation in criminal matters between the Members of the Council of Europe;

STRESSING that many of the Conventions of the Council of Europe form part and parcel of the bedrock of co-operation in criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union;

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT that duplication of work should, as far as possible, be avoided to the extent that the objectives pursued can also be achieved through ratification and implementation of Council of Europe Conventions in all EU Member States;

RECALLING the crucial role that the Council of Europe has played in the approximation of criminal legislation in Europe regarding fundamental issues;

STRESSING in particular the fact that the Council of Europe Conventions have often laid the indispensable foundations for further approximation of the legislation of the Member States of the European Union;

REFERRING to the need for Member States to sign and/or ratify in particular the Criminal Law Convention No 173 on Corruption, Convention No 196 on the Prevention of Terrorism Convention No 197 on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings; the Council of Europe Convention No 198 on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism and Convention No 201 on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse;

ACKNOWLEDGING that in some cases it may be necessary to provide for more specific and detailed rules between the Member States of the European Union. Such deeper integration does not detract from the important nature of the Conventions of the Council of Europe;

STRESSING that the Council of Europe Conventions play an essential role in the co-operation between EU Member States and Third States;

| 1. | reiterates its respect for the legislative activities of the Council of Europe in the area of criminal justice; |
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1.

reiterates its respect for the legislative activities of the Council of Europe in the area of criminal justice;

| 2. | reaffirms its intention to continue the close co-operation between the European Union and the Council of Europe in this area; |
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2.

reaffirms its intention to continue the close co-operation between the European Union and the Council of Europe in this area;

| 3. | calls upon Member States to sign, ratify and implement the Conventions of the Council of Europe in the area of international co-operation in criminal matters and on approximation of criminal legislation when appropriate, in particular when the provisions of these conventions are integrated in the acquis of the EU. |
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3.

calls upon Member States to sign, ratify and implement the Conventions of the Council of Europe in the area of international co-operation in criminal matters and on approximation of criminal legislation when appropriate, in particular when the provisions of these conventions are integrated in the acquis of the EU.

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