Commission notice

Union law regarding, in particular, the principles of freedom of movement and non-discrimination on 
grounds of nationality. 3. In the event of a conflict between an arrest warrant and a request for extradition 
presented by a third country, the decision as to whether the arrest warrant or the extradition request takes 
precedence shall be taken by the competent authority of the executing State with due consideration of all the 
circumstances, in particular those referred to in paragraph 1 and those mentioned in the applicable 
convention.’ 

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b. Personal scope: to whom does the Petruhhin mechanism apply? 
The Petruhhin mechanism applies to nationals of the 27 EU Member States located on the 
territory of another Member State, who exercised their right to free movement. Nationals 
holding also the nationality of the third State requesting extradition are also covered. The 
Court of Justice clarified that holding a dual nationality cannot deprive the person concerned 
of the freedoms deriving from EU law as a national of a Member State
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. Moreover, the 
timing when a person obtained the nationality of a Member State is also irrelevant
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. 
The Court of Justice clarified that the Petruhhin mechanism also applies to nationals of a 
Member State of the EFTA which is a party to the Agreement on the EEA and with which the 
European Union has concluded a surrender agreement (Iceland and Norway)
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. Articles 18 
and 21 TFEU do not apply to nationals of third States. However, the Court of Justice 
considered that Article 4 of the EEA Agreement
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read together with Article 36 of the EEA 
Agreement
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, which is an integral part of EU law, guarantee the freedom to provide services, 
in a way that is identical to Article 56 TFEU, including the right to travel to another State to 
receive services
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.
Furthermore, the Court of Justice confirmed that the right to free movement under Article 
21(1) TFEU/ Article 36 EEA, also applies to a person merely in transit at an airport
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or 
receiving services as a tourist
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in another State.