The Council of Europe organised a high-level training session on 31 August and 1 September 2026, in Alexandria, on international cooperation in criminal matters in cooperation with the Lebanese Ministry of Justice, hosted by the Egyptian Public Prosecution Office.

Bringing together 12 Lebanese magistrates and 8 prosecutors from Egypt, participants explored key themes such as combating trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants, managing electronic evidence, and conducting parallel financial investigations related to trafficking in human beings offenses. Special attention was paid to the legal frameworks governing artificial intelligence, data governance and protection, both at national and international levels. These sessions encouraged open dialogue among participants, allowing the sharing of experiences, lessons learned, and good practices across the region.

The practical workshop provided a unique platform for high-level Lebanese and Egyptian justice professionals to discuss challenges, innovative solutions and fostered deeper cooperation within the Euro-Mediterranean legal area. The regional dimension of the activity underscores the value added of building strong links between prosecution services, further enhancing collective expertise in fighting transnational crime.

The training delivered tangible outcomes: it fostered trust and mutual understanding between Lebanese and Egyptian authorities, improved practical skills in handling complex cross-border cases, and promoted the adoption of best practices in investigative work. It set the stage for future joint initiatives and strengthened the integration of international standards in national procedures.

This activity directly advances the objectives of the Council of Europe’s South Programme VI, aiming to build capacity, promote cooperation, and reinforce the rule of law across the region. It demonstrates the Council of Europe’s commitment to supporting partner states in addressing contemporary criminal justice challenges through effective regional collaboration and targeted training.

The activity is organised with the support of the joint European Union-Council of Europe programme “Strengthening the Euro-Mediterranean legal space for shared prosperity and human security” (South Programme VI), co-financed by the two organisations and implemented by the Council of Europe.