Mutual evaluation of the cooperation agreements Europol - United States

I am pleased to inform you about the discussion held during the 12-13 July 2005 meeting of the Management Board on the mutual evaluation of the cooperation agreements between Europol and the United States. A copy of the evaluation report is attached for your information.

The Management Board greatly values the cooperation established between Europol and the relevant US law enforcement authorities. It recognises that this relationship is still maturing but welcomes the positive results achieved.

In particular the Management Board recognises the value of Europol-US cooperation in the area of joint analysis of terrorist and organised crime threats. Europol will continue to seek all possible opportunities to engage with the US authorities in this work. However the Management Board notes that it has not been possible to reach the full potential of cooperation in this field because of the failure of some Member States to ratify the Protocols amending the Europol Convention. These protocols allow for third countries to participate in Europol’s analysis work files. The Management Board is disappointed that the process of ratification is still not complete and regrets that this is hindering the development of Europol’s relations with US authorities.

The mutual evaluation report provides a positive assessment of the work done by the Europol Liaison Officers stationed in Washington. The Management Board welcomes the future posting of Liaison Officers at Europol from a number of US law enforcement agencies, which will further strengthen cooperation and the exchange of information.

The Management Board recognises that further work is required by Europol to elaborate an appropriate model for the routing of information and assistance along bilateral channels (i.e. directly between Member States and third countries) and multilateral channels (i.e. via Europol).

The Management Board recognises that both channels are necessary and useful, as shown in regard to cooperation with the US, but that the capabilities of the Europol have not been optimised yet.

I would be grateful if you would bring the information contained in this letter to the attention of the Article 36 Committee as well as other appropriate Council groups. I remain at the disposal of the Council for further information on the above.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

Rob Wainwright

Chairman of the Europol Management Board

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Mutual evaluation of the cooperation agreements Europol - United States