Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 7 September 2010 - Strasbourg

6.7. Agreement between the EU and Japan on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (A7-0209/2010, Salvatore Iacolino) (vote)

- Before the vote:

  Salvatore Iacolino, rapporteur. – (IT) Mr President, I assure everyone that my speech will be brief.

Because this is the first agreement between the European Union and Japan, its symbolic value is not insignificant. It is an important activity that certainly constitutes a crucial juncture in our fight against organised crime. A balance point has been achieved between the most disparate needs that allow the product to be considered absolutely in line with expectations.

For this reason, it must clearly be approved because it certainly represents a specific step towards what both countries want: to modernise the justice system specifically through the application of bilateral agreements.