Switzerland and Europol united in fight
Press Release, fedpol, 24.09.2004
The Hague/Bern. From today Switzerland and Europol (The European Police Office) have an operational agreement. The agreement was signed in Bern by the Director of the Federal Office of the Swiss police, Mr. Jean-Luc Vez and Mr. Mariano Simancas, Acting Director of Europol.
“This agreement enables Switzerland to make use of our working tools – information exchange, criminal intelligence analysis and law enforcement investigative expertise. Together we will take advantage of the enhanced value in our co-operation, and we will do our outmost in order to prevent the citizens of EU and Switzerland from organized crime and attacks”, said Mariano Simancas.
“I am very happy that Switzerland and Europol signed this co-operation agreement today”, said Jean-Luc Vez. “For Switzerland, it marks an important step in the development of our international police co-operation. It will strongly support our efforts in the fight against organised crime and international terrorism.”
Switzerland is planning to send at least one liaison officer to The Hague. Office space and secure communication lines are made available within Europol’s headquarters, where liaison officers can communicate directly with their colleagues of all the EU Member States. Within Europol, liaison officers also have the possibility of networking with colleagues from countries and organisations which have made co-operation agreements with Europol, and they can participate in expert meetings and contribute with examples of best
practice.
