Europol powers to be reviewed after enforcement of Lisbon Treaty

2.00.00pm GMT Thu 17th Jan 2008

Today the European Liberal Democrats won an important battle in the European Parliament to ensure full parliamentary control and judicial supervision over Europol, the EU's police agency. A draft Council decision up-grades the status of Europol and broadens its competences. European Liberal Democrats are in favour of having a strong EU crime-busting body but want guarantees that Europol will be fully accountable to European Parliament (EP) and the rights of citizen are protected by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

The EP adopted ALDE´s proposal to review the powers of Europol in 6 months after the Reform Treaty enters into force, ensuring that Europol will be subject to full democratic and judicial scrutiny by the EP and the ECJ. Andrew Duff (Lib Dem, UK), ALDE spokesman on constitutional affairs, regards the review clause as a minimum guarantee against power abuse of the Member States. He argues that the decision to strengthen Europol should have gone hand-in-hand with the reforms introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon. He says:

"The Lisbon Treaty gives us the necessary powers to scrutinise and hold to account the activities of Europol. Member States are hurrying through the reform of Europol before the new treaty comes into force, thereby denying us and the European Court of Justice the chance to exercise the necessary controls. We better take our time and get the thing right than to blunder in haste. Ideally, the decision should have been postponed until the Union is ready to enjoy the vastly improved procedures on offer under the new Treaty."

Alexander Alvaro (FDP, Germany), ALDE group coordinator on the Civil Liberties committee said: "Today we made an important step, but we still have to find a better solution for the extensive immunities of Europol agents. Their immunities are too extensive. They should also be subject to the law."

Adina Valean (PNL, Romania), vice-chairman of the ALDE Group commented: "I am satisfied that Europol will be integrated within the European institutional framework, as the European Parliament has been demanding for a number of years. Furthermore, ALDE was successful in ensuring EP involvement in the appointment of the Director and the restriction of data transfers by Europol to third countries."

ENDS