The European Commission has proposed a Council Decision to conclude an agreement allowing Eurojust to exchange personal data with Algeria's judicial authorities for criminal justice cooperation. The proposal, published on 29 June 2026, provides the legal basis for such exchanges under the Eurojust Regulation, with safeguards for privacy and fundamental rights. The agreement covers cooperation on serious crime, including terrorism and international crimes, and is expected to enhance judicial cooperation between the EU and Algeria.
Negotiations for the agreement were authorized by the Council in March 2021 and concluded at the technical level in August 2025, with Algeria's final agreement given in February 2026. The accord aligns with existing EU policy on judicial cooperation and complements recent legislative frameworks that have expanded Eurojust's ability to cooperate with third countries. The proposal now requires approval by the Council, after which the agreement can be formally signed and implemented.
The agreement is expected to have a moderate impact on several stakeholders. For EU judicial authorities and Eurojust, it will streamline cross-border criminal investigations by enabling direct data exchange with Algeria, potentially speeding up cases involving terrorism, organised crime, and cybercrime. Algerian judicial authorities will gain access to EU criminal data, improving their ability to prosecute cross-border crimes. However, privacy advocates may raise concerns about data protection safeguards, though the Commission asserts that the agreement includes adequate safeguards as required by EU law. EU citizens could benefit from more effective law enforcement cooperation, but also face potential risks if data protection measures are not fully enforced. The agreement does not impose new obligations on EU businesses or economic operators directly, but may indirectly affect companies operating in Algeria if judicial cooperation leads to increased scrutiny of cross-border transactions.
Institutional follow-up will involve the Council's examination and vote on the proposed decision. The European Parliament will be consulted but does not have veto power over international agreements of this nature. Once adopted, the agreement will enter into force following ratification by both parties.