EU targets cross-border crime cooperation
New Europol and Eurojust rules aim to improve EU cooperation on cross-border crime.
The European Commission has proposed new measures to strengthen EU cooperation against cross-border crime, organised criminal networks, terrorism and hostile actors.
The Commission said crime is becoming more sophisticated, international and digital, requiring closer cooperation between police, customs authorities, prosecutors and courts from the start of investigations through to final judgments.
The package would strengthen the roles of Europol and Eurojust, the EU agencies that support national authorities in cross-border criminal investigations and judicial cooperation.
For Europol, the proposal would enable faster and more automated information sharing to support real-time collaboration during investigations. It would also create Europol Support Offices, staffed by former Europol officers, to provide operational assistance to the EU countries.
The Commission also wants to establish a technology and innovation hub within Europol to map law enforcement capability needs across the EU and support the use of new tools against cross-border crime.
Eurojust would receive stronger operational powers, including the ability to act on its own initiative to identify links between cases. Its mandate would also expand into emerging areas of crime, including cybercrime and gender-based violence.
The package would strengthen cooperation between Europol, Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, while also expanding international cooperation with third countries.
The Commission is also proposing to update the European Investigation Order, the EU procedure for gathering evidence across borders in criminal cases. A new European Remote Participation Order would allow suspects, accused persons and victims to take part remotely in criminal court hearings from another EU country.
Why does it matter?
Cross-border crime is increasingly digital and difficult for national authorities to tackle on their own. The Commission’s proposal aims to make EU investigations faster and more coordinated by improving data sharing, evidence gathering and cooperation between police, prosecutors and courts. The cybercrime and technology-hub elements are especially relevant because law enforcement agencies need technical capacity, legal tools and cross-border coordination to respond to digital criminal networks.
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