MigrationNews

Europol continues to support EU Member States affected by the conflict in Ukraine

Last week, Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, travelled to Poland to meet with the General Commissioner of the Polish Police, Major General Jarosław Szymczyk, and the Deputy of the Commander in Chief of the Police Border Guard, Brigardier General Jacek Bajger, to discuss how best to support the Polish authorities who are welcoming an unprecedented number of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine

In light of the worsening situation in Ukraine and the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing to the neighbouring countries for safety, Europol is continuing to work at all levels to support the EU Member States geographically close to the conflict. 

On the same occasion, Europol’s Director also met with the Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), Fabrice Leggeri, to discuss on operational cooperation between the two agencies, in particular in the fight against migrant smuggling and the trafficking of human beings. 

Conflict creates opportunities for organised crime to flourish and amplifies the threat that criminal groups may pose to internal security. At the heart of the European’s security architecture, Europol is uniquely placed to support EU Member States at the frontline.

Europol provides: 

  • Support with secondary security checks at European external borders to identify criminals and terrorists trying to enter the EU;
  • Support in collecting and assessing information to detect criminal offences and threats, in particular in the areas of migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings;
  • A full intelligence picture and consolidated data analysis;
  • A secure platform for the exchange of information with Europol, operational actors in the field and with other Member States and partner agencies. 

 Europol is in permanent dialogue with the neighbouring countries most affected by the conflict in Ukraine.