Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters in the Western Balkan

The central focus of the study is what obstacles might exist in national legislation and practice of the Western Balkan states that might hinder or complicate the efficiency of international cooperation, according to European standards. The states that are included in the study are all states that have expressed their wish to accede to the European Union (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) and Croatia that already has become a Member State. The question “What could amount to impediments to international cooperation?” has been leading throughout the study. The study is therefore to be considered as problem-focused. The study analyses various forms of international cooperation, such as exchange of information, mutual legal assistance, extradition, transfer of proceedings, joint investigation teams, confiscation, as well as the transfer of judgements and prisoners.