Moldova signs Second Additional Protocol to European Convention

Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim and Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maud de Boer-Buquicchio signed the Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matter. The protocol concerns the development of information technologies in Europe and all over the world in the field of criminal practice, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a communiqué from the Ministry of Justice, the protocol was signed by Oleg Efrim during a visit to Strasbourg. The protocol contains a series of chapters. The first refers to the swiftness in responding to requests for mutual assistance, including those transmitted by electronic communication channels. Another chapter refers to modern forms of legal assistance in criminal matters like information through video and telephonic conferences, spontaneous transmission of information, crossborder supervision, supervised deliveries, investigations under cover and joint investigation teams. All the changes to the legislation needed to implement the Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matter are currently examined by the Parliament’s relevant commissions. The signing and ratification of the protocol is envisioned in the Moldova – EU Action Plan on Visa Liberalization, said the Foreign Ministry. While in Strasbourg, Oleg Efrim met with Gianni Buquicchio, President of the European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission, and with the Secretary General of the Venice Commission Thomas Markert. On March 14, the minister will have a meeting with the Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. Moldova joined the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters in 1997.