Police and judicial cooperation in the 21st century around the Hague-Stockholm-Lisbon axis

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the developments in the last seven years for police and judicial cooperation in the EU, including a detailed assessment of the „principle of availability” introduced by the Hague Programme, as well as the institution of the European Public Prosecutor, a possibility created by the Lisbon Treaty. Furthermore, „Stockholm and Lisbon priorities”, and certain questions concerning to the „exceptionalism” of the Lisbon Treaty (such as emergency break, enhanced cooperation, opt-ins opt outs…etc.) are also discussed in detail.