31. Shoulder to Shoulder - an Interview Series December 2003
- Author:
- Loretta Bondi
- Publication Date:
- 12-2003
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Transatlantic Relations
- Abstract:
- CTR: How did the idea of the arrest warrant come about? António Vitorino: The 1999 Amsterdam Treaty expressly provided for the replacement of extradition procedures with a fast-track surrender mechanism. The meeting in Tampere that same year [creating an area of freedom, security and justice in the European Union] developed that idea. We have worked on it since 2000 and completed this work in September 2001. We presented our findings to the Council just eight days after the September 11 attacks. Work on the warrant was completed in just two months. The arrest warrant introduces an unprecedented expedited process, which abolishes formal and lengthy extradition procedures. It is based on the principle of mutual recognition of judicial decisions among EU members, that is, a decision of a member state tribunal should be executed in another member state as easily and quickly as possible.
- Topic:
- Security and NATO
- Political Geography:
- United States and Europe