Europol Starts Liaison Office in the U.S.

On August 30, 2002, Europol started a liaison office in the offices of the European Commission in Washington, D.C. The opening of the liaison office is one of the most significant results of the signing of a strategic agreement on December 6, 2001 between the U.S. and EU. The goal is to finalize the operational cooperation agreement, including the exchange of personal data by the end of 2002, thereby enabling law enforcement to combat organized crime groups in the U.S. and Europe. From Europols perspective, the agreement will strengthen still further the cooperation already in place between the U.S. and Europol in the fight against organized crime and terrorism.