CSDP Civilian Operations Commander meets Europol Executive Director to strengthen CSDP-JHA operational cooperation

11.11.2021

On 11 November, CSDP Civilian Operations Commander Francisco Esteban Perez travelled to the Hague to meet with Europol Executive Director Catherine de Bolle at Europol HQ.

CSDP Civilian Operations Commander Francisco Esteban Perez with Europol Executive Director Catherine de Bolle

The main objective of the visit was to discuss operational cooperation between Europol and civilian CSDP missions to fulfil the relevant commitment of the civilian CSDP Compact and the May 2021 FAC Council conclusions to enhance CSDP-JHA cooperation, in particular with EU JHA Agencies. The CivOpsCdr was briefed on key Europol activities, including the relevant European centres on Serious Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism, Cybercrime, Migrant Smuggling and Operational Centre.

This visit is part of a broader effort to increase operational cooperation between EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies (FRONTEX, EUROPOL, CEPOL and EUROJUST) and CSDP civilian missions, in line with the May 2021 Council Conclusions. Negotiations on bilateral cooperation between FRONTEX and EUCAP Sahel Niger, EUBAM Libya and EUAM Ukraine are already on track and discussions with Europol are also progressing.