Features

Euromed Police project and closing conference lay the foundation of future Euro-Mediterranean police community

On 16 January, Euromed Police held its closing conference at the Academy Palace in Brussels. The event convened around eighty representatives and experts from partner countries on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Following the opening speeches, the Euromed Police team summarized the main achievements of the fourth phase, as well as the lessons learned during its implementation. Among the numbers mentioned were the 35 activities coordinated, for which 859 police officers were mobilized. Among the prouder results were the 11 activities exercised in the Southern Mediterranean, for which partner countries offered significant expertise and resources. This mobilization echoes the successful adoption of the project by the partner countries and represents the spirit of cooperation that has animated its members over the years: a reciprocal flow of experience between Southern and Northern Mediterranean partners.

The perennity of the two major productions of Euromed Police – the Euromed Threat Assessment and the Digital Evidence Manual – was discussed in the presence of CEPOL and Europol, who are to play an important role in the continuity of these initiatives and of the project as a whole.

As a conclusion, the Project Leader Mr. Michel Quillé, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all project stakeholders for their support and their continuous dedication over the past four years. As the final moments approached, an idea was palpably present amongst all participants: that a “Euromed Police Community”, on which future Euro-Mediterranean police cooperation could be built, had truly been formed.