100 Years of INTERPOL: its Position and Role within the European Union

Abstract

Despite INTERPOL’s achievements through its global connection with and between all police forces, the current question is what place the largest international police organisation will take in police cooperation within the European Union. This question is indeed relevant given the European Union’s increasing role in the regulation, policy and coordination in the field of European police cooperation. It has also become clear in recent years that the European Union has been striving for more strategic autonomy in this globalised world and more geopolitical independence. This has not only been the case in the areas of energy supply, climate and defence, but also in police cooperation. In my current positions as IINTERPOL Vice-President for Europe, but also as a person directly involved in European police cooperation (including through the chairmanship of the Europol Management Board and the chairmanship of COSI 1 during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2024), I think it would be interesting to reflect on that in this article.Aim: Opinion on the future role of INTERPOL in the European Union.Methodology: The various regulations and actions regarding police cooperation within the European Union are examined from the perspective of how INTERPOL relates to them.Findings: Despite the various initiatives developed within the European Union to establish internal European police cooperation both through the European agency Europol and its various European information systems, it is clear that INTERPOL remains a vital enabler of European police cooperation. Value: In the light of the willingness from the European Union to more strategic autonomy, also regarding police and security, and given the ongoing negotiations between EU and INTERPOL, it is clear that consideration must be given to the role that INTERPOL can still play within the EU.