The 1959 European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters is a fundamental treaty that facilitates judicial cooperation among European states in criminal proceedings. It provides a legal framework for evidence collection, witness hearings, extraditionrelated assistance, and the exchange of criminal records, ensuring efficiency, legal certainty, and procedural fairness in cross-border cases.

This article aims to analyze the Convention’s key provisions, their legal implications, and Azerbaijan’s approach to their implementation. It examines the scope of judicial cooperation, the limitations imposed by sovereignty and public policy, and the challenges arising from differences in legal systems. Special attention is given to procedural mechanisms such as letters rogatory (Articles 3–6) and voluntary witness testimony (Article 7), as well as the intersection between mutual legal assistance (MLA) and human rights protections under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Despite the Convention’s comprehensive framework, variations in national legal standards, data protection concerns, and differing interpretations of political and tax-related offenses create obstacles to seamless cooperation. This article highlights the need for harmonizing procedural standards, strengthening international legal alignment, and improving intergovernmental collaboration to enhance transparency, predictability, and efficiency in Azerbaijan’s engagement with European judicial cooperation mechanisms.

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