Προκλήσεις και προοπτικές συνεργασίας της EUROPOL με τις εθνικές αρχές επιβολής του νόμου : η περίπτωση της ΕΛ.ΑΣ
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Abstract
EUROPOL cooperates both with the Greek Police and with other national authorities to deal with organized crime and terrorism. We therefore understand that the need for police cooperation between member states in security matters arose from the integration of the market, which included an area without internal borders. Further impetus to police cooperation was given by the signing of the Schengen agreements, where the institution of cross-border monitoring and pursuit by police forces was introduced in the territory. In particular, the free movement of goods, persons, services, funds and the simultaneous abolition of controls at the internal borders between the states -members created the urgent need for police cooperation. All of the above combined with the Union's aim to provide its citizens with a high level of protection in an area of freedom, security and justice led to the establishment of EUROPOL. A milestone in the whole effort was the Treaty of Lisbon by which EUROPOL joined the Organizations of the Union, which contributed to its strengthening with additional powers to fight international organized crime, but also to the more intense involvement of the Institutional Bodies in the operation and in its activities. As far as the Greek Authorities and especially the Greek Police are concerned, the cooperation with EUROPOL is absolutely necessary to deal with international crimes and illegal immigration. Equally valuable is the cooperation with other international bodies such as FRONTEX, CEPOL and EUROJUST, which include the exchange of know-how, information and training of the police authorities. In addition, joint investigation teams have been established to tackle crime, illegal immigration and human trafficking, which operate with the support of EUROPOL and FRONTEX. EUROPOL experts in cooperation with the law enforcement authorities of each member state support and coordinate operations in areas such as drugs, human trafficking, illegal immigration, money laundering, terrorism and cybercrime. The prospects for cooperation between the Greek authorities and EUROPOL are growing as the crimes expand and in order to deal with them an ever closer cooperation is needed. The purpose of this paper is to examine the course and evolution of police cooperation and therefore of EUROPOL. The role of EUROPOL is to provide support to the Greek Police through the exchange of
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information and the organization of joint operations in the field of prevention and suppression of serious forms of international organized crime.