Belgium has brought together senior prosecutors from France, Germany and the Netherlands to strengthen cross-border cooperation against terrorism and international crimes, amid growing concerns over evolving
security threats and the increasingly complex links between criminal networks and state activities.
The meeting took place in the Belgian coastal town of Nieuwpoort on 22 and 23 October, bringing together representatives of the four countries as part of the North Sea Group, a judicial cooperation initiative established in 2025.
Hosted by the Belgian Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, the gathering marked the group’s second meeting. Its primary objective is to improve the exchange of information and strengthen coordination between national judicial authorities investigating terrorism and serious violations of international law.
The initiative was launched at the instigation of Olivier Christen, France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor, to encourage closer collaboration between neighbouring European countries facing shared security challenges.
Senior officials from France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, Germany’s Federal Prosecutor General’s Office and the Dutch National Public Prosecutor’s Office participated in the discussions alongside their Belgian counterparts.
The agenda focused on the changing nature of terrorist threats and the challenges facing authorities as extremist activity and international crime continue to evolve. Participants examined the growing involvement of juveniles suspected of terrorist offences, a development that raises questions about prevention, investigation and the appropriate judicial response.
Another key topic was the increasingly blurred distinction between conventional criminal activity, terrorism and actions linked to state operations. Prosecutors also reviewed recent developments involving international crimes, highlighting the need for effective cooperation when investigations extend across national jurisdictions.
Belgian Federal Prosecutor Ann Fransen stressed that geographical proximity should serve as a foundation for stronger cooperation rather than a barrier between national authorities.
“The North Sea does not separate our countries; it connects them,” Fransen said, according to a statement issued by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office.
She emphasised that terrorism and serious breaches of international humanitarian law frequently transcend national borders, requiring governments and judicial institutions to coordinate their responses.
Fransen argued that a shared, cross-border approach is essential to addressing international criminal activity effectively, particularly when investigations involve multiple countries and complex legal challenges.
The North Sea Group provides a framework for prosecutors to exchange expertise, discuss emerging threats and improve cooperation in cases where coordinated action across jurisdictions is necessary.
The Nieuwpoort meeting reflects wider efforts among European countries to reinforce judicial partnerships and respond collectively to security threats that cannot be addressed effectively by individual states acting alone. Photo by Marc Ryckaert, Wikimedia commons.
