Past, present and future trends of Europol’s evolution in the European law enforcement cooperation

Abstract

While Interpol has literally dominated in the field of international police cooperation, in the beginning of the 1990s Europol has emerged to complement and reinforce the then existing law enforcement cooperation at European level. Since then, Europol has remarkably evolved both strategically and operationally, though within a complex and diverse European legal, political and law enforcement framework. This study provides an in depth analysis of Europol’s evolution through major political adversities and law enforcement constraints inextricably connected, while it also examines the impact of the principle of national sovereignty that has deeply affected Europol’s establishment and its operational evolution to date. It concludes with quoting concrete remarks and concerns on Europol’s current situation and its potential in combating international organized crime and terrorism.