Welcome to the first edition of the Europol Review – General Report on Europol Activities which presents an overview of Europol’s work in 2009.
[register.consilium.europa.eu] 2009 was a symbolic year for Europol as the Agency celebrated its tenth anniversary. It was also one of the most productive years in Europol’s history. From its founding roots in the early 1990s as the Europol Drugs Unit, the organisation has grown beyond all recognition and developed into an agency of the European Union (EU).
Today Europol is a modern agency occupying a central place in the field of law enforcement cooperation in Europe. It has unique crime-fighting capabilities tailored to combat serious international crime and terrorism. European law enforcement agencies rely on Europol’s 24/7 operational service centre. Europol employs some of the best criminal analysts in Europe, produces high quality strategic and operational analysis and coordinates over 10 000 cross-border investigations each year.
As Europol moves into a new decade, the change in its legal basis will consolidate its position at the centre of the new internal security arrangements and information pathways in Europe. This will enable Europol to function even better as a pioneer of change, identifying and responding to new threats, and developing new techniques. (pdf at register.consilium.europa.eu)
