The Integration Of Police And Judicial Cooperation In Criminal Matters Into EU External Relations. Achievements And Problems

Abstract

One of the most obvious-and also most visible-ways of providing security to those living within an area of security is to strengthen the external borders protecting this area. After first exploring the recently emerged dynamics of 'externalisation' in the fields of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, this chapter provides a survey and analysis of the four main dimensions of European Union (EU) external relations in these fields and end with conclusions on the current state of integration of the two fields in EU external relations and the potential impact of the Treaty of Lisbon. In the light of the survey discussed, there can be no doubt that police and judicial cooperation in the context of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ) have acquired a substantial external dimension and now occupy a place in their own right in EU external relations. Keywords: AFSJ; European Union (EU); judicial cooperation