Gërvalla: Two Agreements with France Strengthen Judicial Cooperation

Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Donika Gërvalla said that the two new international agreements concluded with France provide for more efficient mechanisms of legal cooperation.

In a Facebook post, she announced that the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Extradition Agreement had been signed. According to Gërvalla, these agreements strengthen coordination between Kosovo’s and France’s institutions in tackling organized crime, corruption and cross-border crime.

She emphasized that the agreements enable more effective legal cooperation, the exchange of evidence and information, as well as the prosecution and extradition of individuals wanted by the justice authorities.

Gërvalla described these developments as good news for the justice system and citizens, while saying they were bad news for criminal groups.

According to her, the capacities of Kosovo’s and France’s institutions to combat organized crime, corruption and other forms of cross-border crime will be significantly strengthened. She added that the aim is to ensure that no one can evade justice by seeking refuge beyond national borders.

Referring to the agreement signed with Belgium in April, Gërvalla said Kosovo’s cooperation with France in the field of justice further expands the country’s international network. She stressed that justice is not constrained by borders, that there can be no compromise with crime and corruption, and that the fight against them does not stop at national borders, adding that no one should be above the law.