The 17th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Network of Public Prosecutors at the Supreme Judicial Courts of the Member States of the European Union (NADAL Network) took place in Brussels on 7 and 8 May 2026 under the theme “The Rule of Law under Pressure”. Hosted by the Prosecutor General’s Office at the Court of Cassation of Belgium under the Presidency of Ms Ria Mortier, the Conference brought together Prosecutors General and senior judicial representatives from across Europe.
Throughout the two days of discussions, participants reflected on the growing pressures currently affecting judicial institutions and prosecution services in Europe. The exchanges notably addressed prosecutorial independence, political and societal pressure on judicial actors, organised crime, public trust in justice, technological transformation and the importance of European judicial solidarity.
The Conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the future role of the NADAL Network in strengthening the Rule of Law through dialogue, judicial cooperation and professional exchanges between Prosecutors General and partner institutions. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of maintaining trusted professional networks and developing common reflections on emerging challenges affecting European justice systems.
Members also unanimously adopted the Brussels Declaration, reaffirming the Network’s collective commitment to the Rule of Law, judicial independence and the protection of democratic institutions throughout Europe. Building on the discussions held during the Conference, the Declaration stressed the growing pressures currently affecting judicial institutions and underlined the essential role played by prosecutors in safeguarding legality, fundamental rights and public confidence in justice.
The Conference concluded with the formal transfer of the presidency of the Network from Ms Ria Mortier, Prosecutor General at the Belgian Court of Cassation, to Mr Ari-Pekka Koivisto, Prosecutor General of Finland, who invited participants to the next annual conference to be held in Helsinki in May 2027, while the Prosecutor General’s Office of the French Court of Cassation was designated to host the twentieth anniversary conference of the Network in Paris in 2028.