Georgia-Europol Deal Takes Effect

The Georgia-Europol agreement on fighting cross-border crime and terrorism officially came into effect today after the Parliament of Georgia ratified the deal with 98 votes. The European Parliament approved a project, allowing Georgia to become a partner of Europol in late December, 2016.

Europol is the European Union’s law enforcement agency, tasked with assisting the 28 EU Member States and EU partner nations in their fight against serious international crime and terrorism.

On April 4, Georgia’s Interior Minister Giorgi Mghebrishvili and Europol Director Rob Wainwright signed the Agreement on Operational and Strategic Cooperation in Tbilisi.

Within the agreement, Georgia will begin to exchange operative information and personal data with the European Police Service through secure channels and to receive analysis–based police information from Europol. Georgia will also be sending liaison officers to the Europol Headquarters to ensure closer and more effective communication.

The agreement relates to all areas of crime within Europol’s mandate. Georgia will designate a national contact point to act as the central point of contact between Europol and the corresponding authorities in Georgia.

By Thea Morrison