Cooperation Agreement between Europol and Croatia signed in Vienna

Wien/The Hague (OTS) - A new agreement between Croatia and Europol
improves and strengthens the possibilities to fight against serious
organised crime and terrorism. The agreement between the two parties
makes it possible to exchange strategic, technical and operational
information including the transmission of data of a personal nature.

The signing took place on the occasion of the Justice and Home
Affairs Informal Ministerial meeting organised in Vienna by the
Austrian Presidency of the EU Council. Croatia was represented by Mr.
Ivica Kirin, Minister of Interior and Europol was represented by its
Director, Mr Max-Peter Ratzel.

"This agreement is the first of its kind with a Western Balkan
country, and it will give us the possibility to target our work and
focus on specific criminals who operate both in Croatia and in the
EU," says Europol’s Director Max-Peter Ratzel.
In addition to the possibility for the exchange of information the
agreement also provides the legal basis for an exchange of Liaison
Officers.

The Cooperation Agreement with Croatia will enter into force later
in the year, upon ratification by the Croatian Parliament.

The Croatian-Europol agreement is the eighth operational agreement
signed by Europol with a non-EU State. The existing operational
agreements are: Norway, Iceland, USA, Bulgaria, Romania and Canada.
An agreement with Switzerland was signed in September 2004 and will
be ratified shortly. Additionally, Europol has also concluded
Operational Agreements with Eurojust and Interpol.

Rückfragehinweis:
Søren Kragh Pedersen, Corporate Communications
Raamweg 47, The Hague
Postbox 90850, NL - 2509 LW The Hague
Tel.: ++31 (0)70 302 5000
Fax: ++31 (0)70 345 5896

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