European Police Office, Europol: Art. 2 and annex, Protocol on money laundering. Initiative Portugal

The European Parliament adopted the resolution, drafted by Mrs Anna KARAMANOU (PES, Gr), approving an initiative from the Portuguese government which aims to extend Europol's field of competence to include money laundering in general. Parliament fully endorses extending the powers of Europol but feels strongly that it makes no sense for it to deliver an opinion without using the opportunity to enhance Europol's effectiveness and increase its democratic and judicial accountability. Parliament has expressed its dissatisfaction on many occasions at the fact that it cannot exercise democratic control over it. Parliament therefore wants to receive an annual report on the work of Europol and calls for the Court of Justice to have jurisdiction to rule on any dispute or conflict between Member States regarding the interpretation or application of the Europol Convention. Furthermore, amendments adopted seek to change the composition of the Management Board to one representative per Member State, two from the Commission and two of the European Parliament. Europol shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Council and also by the European Parliament. �