The event was opened by Mr. Ladislav Hamran, the President of Eurojust, demonstrating the strong buy-in of the EU agency in the programme. The meeting was the occasion to reflect on the progress achieved so far to strengthen the strategic and operational cooperation in judicial criminal matters in-between southern partner countries but also between southern partner countries and EU Member States and EU agencies. Eurojust also took the opportunity to present the work programme for 2022 but also 2023, as a no-cost extension of the programme has been requested until December 2023.