Agreement on strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China and Europol

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Claude MORAES (S&D, UK) on the draft Council implementing decision approving the conclusion by the European Police Office (Europol) of the Agreement on Strategic Cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of China and Europol.

The committee recommended the European Parliament to approve the Council draft.

Members called on the Commission to assess the provisions contained in the cooperation agreement, after the date of application of the new Europol Regulation. They also called on Commission to inform Parliament and the Council of the outcome of this assessment.

The explanatory memorandum accompanying the report stressed that there seems to be clear operational needs for Europol to cooperate with China.

According to Europol, China is increasingly relevant as a source-, destination- and transit-country in the fight against organized crime, such as facilitated illegal immigration, trafficking in human beings, drug related crimes, euro-counterfeiting, Intellectual Property Rights infringements, sport corruption, as well as cybercrime and money laundering related activities. Furthermore, China is home to several high-impact organised criminal groups.

Against this backdrop, the rapporteur supported the conclusion of this strategic cooperation agreement with China, since it would aid and reinforce the fight against organised crime and would contribute to enhancing international law enforcement co-operation.