Luxembourg and Europol: How the Grand Duchy strengthens international police co-operation

In response to a parliamentary enquiry by MP Dan Biancalana, Interior Minister Léon Gloden provided an overview of Luxembourg's current involvement in Europol, the European Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation. The answer reveals both the country's practical involvement and the strategic priorities within the agency's new multi-purpose programme.

Luxembourg has a Europol National Unit (Europol National Unit, ENU) integrated into the Judicial Police Service. It is the key link between the national authorities and the headquarters in The Hague. The ENU is supported by the Directorate of International Relations of the Police and, if necessary, by other government agencies, such as the Customs Administration and the Financial Intelligence Unit.

In addition, Europol has a separate Luxembourg office at its headquarters in The Hague, consisting of two police officers and one civil servant. The number of staff in this office has tripled in recent years, emphasising the growing importance of Europol in national security policy.

Among Europol's six strategic priorities, Luxembourg attaches the greatest importance to information exchange. It is in this area that the country sees the key to effective police co-operation and the fight against transnational crime. More than 50 experts from Luxembourg regularly participate in the agency's forums, from operational meetings to strategy sessions.

In addition, the Grand Duchy co-operates with the Europol Innovation Lab, which focuses on research projects and security innovations.