EU and Brazil Strengthen Security Partnership to Combat Organized Crime and Terrorism

The EU and Brazil have signed a pivotal agreement to enhance cooperation between Europol and Brazilian law enforcement, enabling the exchange of operational information. Signed by Magnus Brunner and Ricardo Lewandowski, this agreement marks Brazil as the first Latin American country to formalize such a partnership with the EU, reinforcing joint efforts to tackle organized crime and terrorism.

On a significant day, the European Union (EU) and Brazil formalized an agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration between Europol and Brazilian law enforcement. This partnership is designed to enable the exchange of operational information, thus reinforcing joint efforts against serious organized crime and terrorism, and strengthening security across both regions of the Atlantic.

The signing took place between Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, and Brazil’s Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, with Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, present. Since becoming a key partner in 2017, Brazil has maintained robust operational cooperation with Europol in various crime sectors, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, and human trafficking.

Notably, Brazil is the first Latin American nation to enter into such an agreement with the EU. The next step involves obtaining consent from the European Parliament before the agreement can be fully implemented. Europol is prepared to support the execution of this agreement, which will deepen Brazil’s collaboration in addressing serious organized crime.

Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that international cooperation is crucial for enhancing the internal security of both the EU and its partners; the agreement will facilitate improved information sharing with Brazil and aid in cross-border investigations. Catherine De Bolle emphasized that this agreement represents an important advancement in Europol’s partnership with Brazil, enhancing their joint capacity to address major security challenges.

Europol sees cooperation with non-EU countries as essential in its strategy against organized crime. This agreement with Brazil is pivotal in strengthening operational ties, which ultimately enables EU law enforcement agencies to confront transnational threats. Recent successful cooperations with Brazil include significant arrests associated with drug trafficking operations.

In summary, the recent agreement between the EU and Brazil is a meaningful step in fortifying the fight against organized crime and terrorism. It enhances the collaboration between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the Atlantic, enabling more effective disruption of criminal networks. This partnership reflects the commitment to international cooperation as a foundational element of security strategy, promising a more coordinated approach against cross-border crime.

Original Source: www.europol.europa.eu