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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 1.10.2026 COM(2026) 521 final

2026/0297 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the

International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) with regard to border

security, as part of border management

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal

In a globalised world where serious and organised crimes, including terrorism are increasingly

transnational and multifaceted, the EU law enforcement agencies and bodies must be fully

equipped to cooperate, when necessary, with key external partners to ensure the security of

their citizens.

As outlined in the EU Serious and organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) 20251,

criminal networks and their activities are unhindered by borders, be it within the EU or

between the EU and the rest of the world. The EU has a central location in the global criminal

landscape, being closely connected with all continents, and serving as a source, transit and

destination region for illicit goods and services.

INTERPOL is the largest global inter-governmental criminal police organisation, with 196

member countries. It facilitates law enforcement cooperation by enabling the sharing of law

enforcement related information and access to law enforcement related databases.

ProtectEU – the European Internal Security Strategy2 recognises INTERPOL as a relevant

partner with which an EU-INTERPOL international agreement should be concluded to ensure

a more unified approach to global security threats and transnational crimes.

The EU and INTERPOL already cooperate in the field of internal and external security,

including counterterrorism and organised crime, and integrated border management. All EU

Member States are members of INTERPOL, the EU is financing capacity building projects in

third countries which are implemented by INTERPOL, and EU legislation foresees the

consultation of certain INTERPOL databases at the Union’s external borders. Moreover, the

European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), the European Union

Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) and the European Border and Coast

Guard Agency (the EBCGA) cooperate with INTERPOL in the field of law enforcement and

judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and border security.

Despite the existing cooperation with INTERPOL, there are areas where the cooperation

should be further enhanced. In addition, cooperation should be established in new areas to

address indispensable operational needs and to implement legal acts, aiming to better support

Member States in preventing and combating terrorism and organised crime.

Europol, Eurojust and the EPPO need up-to-date information on criminals and crimes to

support law enforcement and judicial authorities. The EBCGA needs up-to-date information

on criminals and crimes to perform its border management support tasks.

INTERPOL manages a wide range of databases containing that information at a global scale.

INTERPOL’s databases contain over 100 million law enforcement records with information

on individuals (such as names) and stolen property (such as passports, weapons and firearms).

The Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and INTERPOL (the Agreement)

will allow Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA to directly access a number of

INTERPOL databases.

1 https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/EU-SOCTA-2025.pdf 2 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European

Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ProtectEU: a European Internal

Security Strategy - COM/2025/148 final of 1 April 2025.

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In 2001, Europol concluded a cooperation agreement with INTERPOL that provided, among

others, for the exchange of personal data. Since then, the mandate of Europol has been

overhauled3 and the EU data protection regime has been substantively modified. A new

international agreement between the Union and INTERPOL, governing cooperation between

Europol and INTERPOL, is needed to take account of the latest developments in combating

terrorism and cross-border and transnational serious organised crime, to manage present-day

operational needs, to reflect Europol’s mandate, and to reflect the EU’s latest data protection

regime4.

In 2013, Eurojust concluded a memorandum of understanding with INTERPOL that provided

for the exchange of general, strategic and technical information. To enable Eurojust to

exchange personal data with INTERPOL5 in so far as necessary to perform its tasks,6 an

appropriate transfer instrument is necessary, which should enable the strengthening of

operational cooperation between Eurojust and INTERPOL, including through coordination

meetings, coordination centres and joint investigation teams. When Eurojust’s support is

sought to coordinate the implementation of judicial measures and individuals must be arrested

in third countries, the involvement of INTERPOL could bring added value, speed up the

judicial process and facilitate the work of Eurojust7.

The EPPO is empowered to undertake investigations, implement prosecution orders and

exercise the functions of prosecutor in the competent courts of the Member States. Its

operational needs include access to information held in INTERPOL databases and exchanging

information with INTERPOL, considering the cross-border nature of crimes for which the

EPPO is competent and the need to cooperate with third countries. The EPPO could also

benefit from the assistance of INTERPOL to facilitate information exchange in relation to

mutual legal assistance. Cooperation between the EPPO and INTERPOL has yet to be set up

and regulated, in line with the provisions of EPPO’s mandate8.

In 2009, the EBCGA concluded a working arrangement with INTERPOL that provided for

the exchange of strategic and technical information. To enable the EBCGA to exchange

personal data with INTERPOL in so far as necessary for it to carry out its tasks, an

appropriate transfer instrument is necessary.

3 Council Decision 2009/371/JHA of 6 April 2009 establishing the European Police Office (Europol) (OJ

L 121, 15.5.2009, p. 37) and Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council

of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and

replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA,

2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JH (OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53). 4 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the

protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of

such data (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1), Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the

Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of

personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such

data (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39), Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the

Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal

data by competent authorities for the purposes of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution

of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, and on the free movement of such data (Data

Protection Law Enforcement Directive) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 89). 5 Recital (46) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and of the Council of

14 November 2018 on the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), and

replacing and repealing Council Decision 2002/187/JHA (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 138). 6 Article 2(1), (3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1727. 7 Article 2(2), subparagraph (b) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1727. 8 Article 2(2), subparagraph (b) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1727.

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Furthermore, the ETIAS Regulation9 foresees the querying of INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost

Travel Document (SLTD) and Travel Document Associated with Notices (TDAWN) as part

of the ETIAS travel authorisation process. The Agreement will provide appropriate

safeguards to allow the querying by the ETIAS of INTERPOL’s SLTD and TDAWN.

Notably, it will ensure that no automated notification to the source of the INTERPOL data

shall take place upon a query by the ETIAS Central System and verification by the ETIAS

Central Unit.

Considering the above, in April 2021, the Commission issued a Recommendation for a

Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a cooperation agreement

between the European Union and INTERPOL10. In May 2021, the European Data Protection

Supervisor issued an opinion on the Commission Recommendation for a Council Decision

authorising the opening of negotiations for a cooperation agreement between the EU and

INTERPOL11. In July 2021, the Council of the European Union authorised the opening of

negotiations for a cooperation agreement between the European Union and INTERPOL12.

In July 2022, the European Parliament adopted by 607 votes to 13, with 11 abstentions, a

recommendation on the negotiations13.

The negotiations started in December 2021. 37 formal rounds of negotiations were conducted,

and the negotiations were concluded at the lead negotiator’s level on 3 February 2026.

The co-legislators have been informed throughout the negotiations process and consulted at

all stages of the negotiations, notably by reporting to the Council’s Working Party on Justice

and Home Affairs Information Exchange (IXIM) and the European Parliament’s Committee

for Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).

• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area

The Agreement was negotiated in line with the comprehensive negotiating directives adopted

by the Council on 19 July 2021.

The Agreement is consistent with existing Union policy in the domain of law enforcement,

judicial cooperation in criminal matters and border security, as part of border management.

The Agreement aims to implement existing EU legislation, in particular the ETIAS

Regulation14 which foresees the querying of INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Document

(SLTD) and Travel Document Associated with Notices (TDAWN) as part of the ETIAS travel

authorisation process.

9 Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2018

establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and amending

Regulations (EU) No 1077/2011, (EU) No 515/2014, (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2016/1624 and (EU)

2017/2226 (OJ L 236, 19.9.2018, p. 1). 10 Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a cooperation

agreement between the European Union and the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO-

INTERPOL) of 14 April 2021 (COM/2021/177 final). 11 https://www.edps.europa.eu/system/files/2021-05/21-05-

25_opinion_cooperation_between_eu_interpol_en.pdf 12 Council Decision (EU) 2021/1312 of 19 July 2021 authorising the opening of negotiations for a

cooperation agreement between the European Union and the International Criminal Police Organization

(ICPO-INTERPOL) (OJ L 287, 10.8.2021, p. 2) and Council Decision (EU) 2021/1313 of 19 July 2021

authorising the opening of negotiations for a cooperation agreement between the European Union and

the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO-INTERPOL) (OJ L 287, 10.8.2021, p. 6). 13 European Parliament recommendation of 5 July 2022 to the Council and the Commission on the

negotiations for a cooperation agreement between the European Union and the International Criminal

Police Organization (ICPO-INTERPOL) (2022/2025(INI)) (2023/C 47/23). 14 Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

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In recent years, progress was made to improve the cooperation on exchange of information

between Member States and to close the space in which terrorists and criminals operate.

Several Commission strategic documents, such as the ProtectEU: Internal Security Strategy15

and the Agenda to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism16, underpin the

necessity of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement cooperation in the

EU, as well as of expanding the cooperation with third countries.

The Agreement will enable Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA to exchange

information with INTERPOL and access certain of its databases, in compliance with the

respective founding regulations, the EU data protection regime and the Charter of

Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

• Consistency with other Union policies

The Agreement provides appropriate safeguards with respect to the processing of personal

data within the meaning of EU data protection law, and more broadly protects fundamental

rights and freedoms of individuals, thereby providing an instrument for the transfer of

information, including personal data, for fighting serious crime and terrorism.

In particular, personal data transfers and processing must respect the Charter of Fundamental

Rights, including through prohibitions on using information in connection with the death

penalty or any form of inhuman treatment or punishment. Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and

the EBCGA may impose access restrictions and conditions on the use of information,

including additional safeguards where necessary to ensure compliance with EU rules.

The Agreement also contains detailed data protection provisions covering purpose limitation,

special protection for sensitive data, data subjects’ rights, data security, redress and oversight.

Any onward transfer of data to INTERPOL National Central Bureaus or other authorities

requires prior explicit authorisation, must remain limited to the original purpose, and must

maintain at least the same level of protection as the initial transfer.

2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY

• Substantive legal basis

Given that the Agreement covers also border security, as part of border management, and

provides for adequate safeguards with respect to the protection of personal data and other

fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals in the context of the cooperation to be

established, the substantive legal bases for this decision are Article 16(2) and Article 77(1)

and (2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

It is therefore appropriate for the Commission to submit the proposal to the Council.

• Procedural legal basis

Article 218(5) TFEU provides that, where the agreement envisaged does not relate

exclusively or principally to the common foreign and security policy, the Commission shall

submit a proposal to the Council. The Council shall adopt a decision authorising the signing

of the agreement.

15 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European

Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ProtectEU: a European Internal

Security Strategy - COM/2025/148 final. 16 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European

Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ProtectEU: Agenda to prevent and

counter terrorism - COM(2026) 101 final of 26 February 2026.

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The Commission proposes to authorise the signing of the EU-INTERPOL Cooperation

Agreement, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The procedural legal basis for the proposed decision to authorise the signing of the envisaged

agreement is Article 218(5) TFEU.

• Union competence

Article 3(2) TFEU provides that the EU has exclusive competence “for the conclusion of an

international agreement ... in so far as its conclusion may affect common rules or alter their

scope.” An international agreement may affect common rules or alter their scope where the

area covered by the agreement overlaps with EU legislation or is covered to a large extent by

EU law. The European Union has adopted common rules based on Article 16(2) and Article

77(1) and (2) TFEU on the aspects covered in the EU-INTERPOL Cooperation Agreement.

• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)

Not applicable.

• Proportionality

The Union’s objectives regarding this proposal as set out above can only be achieved by

entering into a binding international agreement with INTERPOL providing for the necessary

cooperation measures, while ensuring appropriate protection of fundamental rights. The

provisions of the agreement are limited to what is necessary to achieve its main objectives.

• Choice of the instrument

This proposal for a Council decision is submitted in accordance with Article 218(6) TFEU,

which envisages the adoption by the Council of a decision concluding the agreement. There

exists no other legal instrument that could be used in order to achieve the objective expressed

in this proposal

3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER

CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

• Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation

Not applicable.

• Stakeholder consultations

In the process of the negotiation, the Commission did not use external expertise.

• Collection and use of expertise

Internal consultations, notably with Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA were

conducted throughout the negotiations.

• Impact assessment

Not applicable.

• Regulatory fitness and simplification

Not applicable.

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• Fundamental rights

The exchange of information under the Agreement will be subject to a comprehensive set of

rules, principles and obligations to protect fundamental rights, fully in line with EU law. In

particular, the Agreement provides appropriate safeguards for the transfer and the processing

of personal data.

Furthermore, to ensure full respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Article 3 of the

Agreement sets out that the EU and INTERPOL, with respect to information they have

received pursuant to the Agreement, shall maintain safeguards to protect human rights and

fundamental freedoms. The Agreement also recalls that the Union is founded on the principles

of prohibition of the use of information for death penalty and any form of inhuman treatment

or punishment, which will apply to EU’s cooperation with INTERPOL.

Article 5 of the Agreement sets out rules on access restrictions and use conditions with regard

to information provided under the Agreement. In addition to the access restrictions and use

conditions already indicated by EU Member States that originally provided the information,

Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA may impose any additional access restrictions

and use conditions to ensure that the processing of personal data transferred under the

agreement will comply with EU law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

To ensure full compliance with the EU data protection framework, Part One, Section 2 of the

Agreement includes safeguards for the processing of information, including the possibility to

suspend transfers of personal data (Article 6), the purpose limitation principle regarding the of

processing of information (Article 7) and other relevant data protection principles (Article 8),

additional protections for special categories of data (Article 9), data subjects’ rights to access,

rectification, deletion and redress (Articles 12, 13 and 20), obligations regarding data security

(Article 17), and oversight (Article 19).

In accordance with Article 11, any onward transfer to the INTERPOL National Central

Bureaus, national and international entities and competent authorities of the EU Member

States will be subject to comprehensive data protection obligations, establishing inter alia that

data may be onward transferred only: (i) with prior explicit authorisation by the sending

entity; (ii) for the same purpose(s) as for which it was initially provided; and (iii) subject to

the safeguards and conditions applying to the initial transfer. Any further transfers of data

cannot be more permissive or less protected than the initial transfer.

4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

No legislative financial and digital statement is foreseen for the budgetary implications of the

Agreement. Article 37 sets out rules on costs for the implementation of the Agreement. Each

party will bear its own costs, except for the connection costs to the respective INTERPOL

databases identified in the Agreement that will be borne by the Union. In addition, a

mechanism is established to annually review technical and operational costs incurred by

INTERPOL that are directly attributable to direct access to INTERPOL databases, indirect

access and exchange of information under the Agreement. Any payment to INTERPOL shall

be subject to budget availability and require prior budgetary commitment by the competent

Union institution.

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5. OTHER ELEMENTS

• Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements

Article 43 of the Agreement foresees the conclusion of future supplementary arrangements

between Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, as well as the EU for the purposes of

ETIAS, on the one hand, and INTERPOL, on the other.

With regard to monitoring, Article 45 provides that the European Union and INTERPOL shall

jointly review the implementation of the Agreement no later than three years from the date of

entry into force of the Agreement and on a regular basis thereafter.

In addition, Article 34 provides that the European Union and INTERPOL shall jointly review

the implementation of Article 34 one year after ETIAS access to SLTD and TDAWN

commences and subsequently no later than every two years.

• Explanatory documents (for directives)

Not applicable.

• Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal

The Agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between Europol, Eurojust, the

EPPO, and the EBCGA, on one side, and INTERPOL, on the other, enabling them to

cooperate more effectively in preventing, detecting, investigating and prosecuting serious

forms of cross-border crime and terrorism. The Agreement enables the exchange of both

personal data and non-personal data and also enables Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO, and the

EBCGA to have direct access to six INTERPOL’s databases.

In addition, the Agreement supports the functioning of ETIAS by enabling it to screen

applicants for a travel authorisation against INTERPOL’s SLTD and TDAWN data. This

screening helps determine whether a travel document used in an application has been reported

as stolen, lost, misappropriated, invalidated, or linked to an INTERPOL notice and

strengthens the Union’s capacity to identify potential security risks.

The Agreement ensures that the cooperation fully complies with the EU data protection

framework, fully respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by

the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Ultimately, the Agreement contributes to enhancing the

security of the Union and the safety of its citizens.

The main components of the Agreement are: (i) law enforcement and judicial cooperation in

criminal matters; and (ii) border security, as part of border management.

The specific component of border security, as part of border management, concerns: (i) the

common provisions of the Agreement (Part 1 and more specifically Article 1(1)(b) and Article

7(1)(b)); (ii) the general provisions concerning the cooperation between INTERPOL and the

EBCGA (Part 2, Section 1 and more specifically Article 25(1)(b)); (iii) the specific provisions

relating to the EBCGA (Part 2, Section 2 and more specifically Article 33); (iv) the

cooperation with respect to ETIAS (Part 3, i.e. Articles 34 and 35); (v) the financial

provisions (Part 4 and more specifically Article 37(2), first subparagraph, second sentence

and Article 37(2), third subparagraph); (vi) the final provisions (Part 5 and more specifically

Article 43(2)(a), Article 44(2)(a)(i)) and Article 44(2)(a)(iii)); and (vii) declarations on

ETIAS and EU Visa Information System.

PART ONE: COMMON PROVISIONS

PART ONE, SECTION 1: INITIAL PROVISIONS

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Article 1 sets out the purpose of the Agreement. Article 1(1)(a) provides that the purpose of

this Agreement is to further cooperation between the European Union and INTERPOL in the

areas of law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Article 1(1)(b)

provides that the purpose of this Agreement is to further cooperation between the European

Union and INTERPOL in the areas of border security. Article 1(3) provides an obligation for

both Parties to implement the obligations of the Agreement in their respective legal

frameworks.

Article 2 includes the definitions of the Agreement.

Article 3 provides for effective safeguards to protect human rights.

Article 4 includes provisions on neutrality.

Article 5 sets out rules on access restrictions and use conditions with regard to information

provided under the Agreement. In addition to the access restrictions and use conditions

already indicated by EU Member States that originally provided the information, Europol,

Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA may impose any additional access restrictions and use

conditions, including those necessary to ensure compliance with the Charter of Fundamental

Rights. It also provides that both Parties shall have in place effective compliance measures.

PART ONE, SECTION 2: PROTECTION OF INFORMATION

Article 6 sets out appropriate safeguards for information processed under the Agreement. It

also includes a provision on the suspension of personal data transfers in case of systematic or

material breach of the terms of Agreement or where material breach is imminent.

Article 7 enshrines the purpose limitation principle, defining the lawful purposes for which

data may be processed under the Agreement: notably, Article 7(1)(a) sets out the purposes in

relation to law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, whereas Article

7(1)(b) sets out the purposes in relation to border security.

Article 8 includes general data protection principles.

Article 9 includes additional safeguards for the processing of special categories of data.

Article 10 concerns decision-making based on automated processing, providing that decisions

that produce a significant adverse effect on an individual shall not be based solely on the

automated processing of the personal data received under the Agreement.

Article 11 provides the general processing conditions for information directly and indirectly

accessed and exchanged under the Agreement. In particular, for onward transfers, three

cumulative conditions must be satisfied: (i) prior explicit authorisation to sharing is given by

the provider of information; (ii) the information is shared for the same purpose(s) for which it

was initially provided; and (iii) the safeguards and conditions applying to the initial transfer

are applied.

Article 12 provides for the right of access, ensuring that the data subject has the right to obtain

information on whether personal data relating to that data subject are processed under the

Agreement.

Article 13 provides for the right to rectification and deletion, which ensures that the data

subject has the right to request to rectify or delete inaccurate personal data concerning that

data subject processed under the Agreement.

Article 14 provides for information to be provided regarding the rights of access, rectification,

deletion and redress.

Article 15 enshrines the principle of storage limitation and data accuracy.

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Article 16 provides for the maintaining of records of logs and all processing operations

concerning data transferred under the Agreement.

Article 17 provides for data security, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the

information exchanged under the Agreement.

Article 18 provides for the designation of data protection officers.

Article 19 provides for the independent oversight of the personal data protection safeguards

under the Agreement.

Article 20 provides data subjects with the right to obtain redress.

Article 21 provides for the possibility to foresee access, rectification, deletion, and redress for

entities.

Article 22 provides for the notification of the provisions in the respective legal frameworks

implementing the Agreement with respect to the processing of personal data obtained under

the Agreement.

PART TWO: COOPERATION BETWEEN INTERPOL AND EUROPOL, EUROJUST,

THE EPPO ANDTHE EBCGA

PART TWO, SECTION 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 23 sets out the scope of the cooperation between INTERPOL and Europol, Eurojust,

the EPPO and the EBCGA.

Article 24 establishes rules for the indirect access to information by INTERPOL and Europol,

Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA.

Article 25 establishes rules for the direct access by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the

EBCGA to INTERPOL’s databases. In particular, Article 25(1)(a) concerns Europol’s access

to the International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database, the INTERPOL Illicit Arms

Records and Tracing Management System (iARMS) and the INTERPOL Firearms Reference

Table (IFRT), whereas Article 25(1)(b) concerns the EBCGA access to the Frontex

INTERPOL Electronic Library Document System (FIELDS). Furthermore, pursuant to

Article 25(2)(a), access to the Electronic Documentation and Information System on

Investigation Networks with Information on Travel Documents (EDISON) shall be granted to

Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA. Pursuant to Article 25(2)(b) access to the

Frontex INTERPOL Electronic Library Document System (FIELDS) shall be granted to

Europol, Eurojust and the EPPO; pursuant to Article 25(2)(c) access to the INTERPOL Illicit

Arms Records and tracing Management System (iARMS) shall be granted to Eurojust.

Pursuant to Article 25(2)(d) access to the INTERPOL Firearms Reference Table (IFRT) shall

be granted to Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA. Pursuant to Article 25(2)(e) access to the

Stolen Vessels Database (SVD) shall be granted to the EPPO and the EBCGA.

Article 26 sets out general rules governing the access to and exchange of information between

INTERPOL and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA. More specifically, Article

26(4)(a) provides that the channels of communication between Europol and INTERPOL shall

continue pursuant to arrangements currently in force.

Article 27 provides for strategic, technical, and operational coordination and planning

between INTERPOL and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA.

Article 28 provides for the possibility to deploy liaison personnel between INTERPOL and

Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA. More specifically, Article 28(2)(b) provides

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that, with respect to the liaison personnel between INTERPOL and Europol, the arrangement

currently in force shall apply.

Article 29 provides for the possibility to transmit information between INTERPOL and

Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA without prior request.

PART TWO, SECTION 2: SPECIFIC PROVISIONS RELATING TO EUROPOL,

EUROJUST, THE EPPO AND THE EBCGA

Article 30 provides for additional provisions relating specifically to INTERPOL – Europol

cooperation.

Article 31 provides for additional provisions relating specifically to INTERPOL – Eurojust

cooperation.

Article 32 provides for additional provisions relating specifically to INTERPOL – EPPO

cooperation.

Article 33 provides for additional provisions relating specifically to INTERPOL – EBCGA

cooperation.

PART THREE: COOPERATION WITH RESPECT TO THE EUROPEAN TRAVEL

INFORMATION AND AUTHORISATION SYSTEM (ETIAS)

Article 34 provides for the direct access to and use of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents

(SLTD) and Travel Documents Associated with Notices (TDAWN) data for the purposes of

ETIAS. In case of a hit, the ETIAS Central Unit will handle the processing, assessing and

verification of the data and transmit it to ETIAS National Unit for a final decision on the

travel authorisation. No automated notification to the source of the INTERPOL data shall take

place upon a query by the ETIAS Central System and verification by the ETIAS Central Unit.

As part of its security assessment, the ETIAS National Unit shall directly consult with, and

transmit INTERPOL’s SLTD and TDAWN ‘reference number’ to, the INTERPOL National

Central Bureau of its Member State, for the purpose of that National Central Bureau

conducting checks with the source of the data to verify the accuracy and relevance of the data.

Article 35 sets out provisions concerning Member States of the European Union and other

countries (namely Schengen Associated Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein Norway, and

Switzerland) that apply Article 34.

PART FOUR: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Article 36 provides for the European Union support to the implementation of the Agreement

through the facilitation of the secondment of experts to INTERPOL.

Article 37 sets out provisions under which the costs for the implementation of the Agreement

will be borne. The European Union and INTERPOL will each bear their own costs, except for

the connection costs to the respective INTERPOL databases identified in the Agreement that

will be borne by the Union. More specifically, Article 37(2), first subparagraph, first sentence

provides that Europol shall pay the costs relating to International Child Sexual Exploitation

(ICSE) and INTERPOL Illicit Arms Records and Tracing Management System (iARMS)

databases, whereas Article 37(2), first subparagraph, second sentence provides that the

EBCGA shall pay the costs relating to the Frontex INTERPOL Electronic Library Document

System (FIELDS). Article 37(2), second subparagraph provides that Europol, Eurojust, the

EPPO and the EBCGA shall pay the costs of establishing their respective connections to

INTERPOL databases and other connections they may agree to establish to INTERPOL

Information System, provided, however, that no connection fees to iARMs and FIELDS shall

be paid by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO. Article 37(2), third subparagraph provides that the

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EU shall pay the costs to establish connections to Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD)

and Travel Documents Associated with Notices (TDAWN) for the purposes of Articles 34

and 35, and the costs to configure SLTD and TDAWN for the purposes of the ETIAS Central

System directly accessing subsets of SLTD and TDAWN in accordance with Article 34(2)(a).

Article 37(3) concerns costs relating to successor arrangements and future supplementary

arrangements. Article 37(4) concerns the mechanism for the annual review of technical and

operational costs incurred by INTERPOL that are directly attributable to direct access to

INTERPOL databases, indirect access and exchange of information under the Agreement.

PART FIVE: FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 38 provides for the use of name and distinctive signs.

Article 39 sets out provisions on privileges and immunities.

Article 40 provides for conditions to query INTERPOL databases through the European

Union Administered Infrastructure.

Article 41 establishes a Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee, comprised of

representatives of the European Union and INTERPOL, which shall, among others facilitate

the implementation of the Agreement, consider ways to further enhance cooperation between

the European Union and INTERPOL, and carry out reviews under the provisions of the

Agreement.

Article 42 sets out rules on the amendments to the Agreement.

Article 43 sets out rules concerning future supplementary arrangements.

Article 44 provides for the application of prior agreements, arrangements and memoranda of

understanding. Notably, the 2001 Europol-INTERPOL agreement, 2009 the EBCGA-

INTERPOL working arrangement and 2013 Eurojust-INTERPOL memorandum of

understanding are replaced by this Agreement. Other agreements, arrangements and

memoranda of understanding between Europol and INTERPOL and between the EBCGA and

INTERPOL shall remain in effect.

Article 45 provides for a mechanism for the joint review of the implementation of the

Agreement.

Article 46 sets out rules for the settlement of disputes, ensuring that all disputes that may

emerge in connection with the interpretation, application, or implementation of the Agreement

will give rise to consultations and negotiations between the Parties with a view to reaching a

mutually agreeable solution.

Article 47 sets out rules on liability.

Article 48 sets out rules on the suspension of the Agreement.

Article 49 sets out rules on the termination of the Agreement.

Article 50 sets out rules on the entry into force of the Agreement.

• Signing and the text of the Agreement

The text of the Agreement and the text of three declarations on a Security of Information

Agreement, ETIAS and EU Visa Information System are submitted to the Council together

with this proposal.

In accordance with the Treaties, it is for the Commission to ensure the signing of the

Agreement, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

EN 12 EN

2026/0297 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the

International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) with regard to border

security, as part of border management

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular

Article 16(2), Article 77(1) and (2), in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 19 July 2021, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with

INTERPOL for a Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and

INTERPOL (the Agreement). The negotiations were successfully concluded.

(2) The Agreement establishes cooperative relations between the European Union Agency

for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), the European Union Agency for

Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (the

EPPO), and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (the EBCGA), on one side,

and INTERPOL, on the other. The Agreement enables the transfer of personal and

non-personal data between them, with a view to combating serious crime and

terrorism, and protecting the security of the Union and its citizens.

(3) The Agreement also enables the European Travel Information and Authorisation

System (ETIAS) to screen persons applying for a travel authorisation against

INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) and Travel Documents

Associated with Notices (TDAWN) data with a view to assessing whether that person

could pose a threat to security.

(4) The Agreement ensures full respect of the fundamental rights of the Union, in

particular the right to respect for private and family life, the right to the protection of

personal data and the right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial recognised in

Articles 7, 8 and 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union1,

respectively. The Agreement provides adequate safeguards for the protection of

personal data transferred under the Agreement.

(5) This Decision concerns the provisions of the Agreement on border security, as part of

border management, as well as the specific horizontal provisions of the Agreement

which directly concern a Schengen related matter. This Decision does not concern the

provisions of the Agreement on law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal

matters, in particular Article 1(1)(a), Article 7(1)(a), Article 25(1)(a), Article 25(2)(b),

Article 25(2)(c), Article 26(4)(a), Article 28(2)(b), Articles 30, 31 and 32, Article

37(2), first subparagraph, first sentence, Article 44(2)(a)(ii) and Article 44(2)(a)(iv)-

1 OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 391

EN 13 EN

(viii), which are addressed by a separate Council decision on signing to be adopted in

parallel with this Decision.

(6) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis, in

which Ireland does not take part in accordance with Protocol 19 on the Schengen

acquis and, subject to the application of Article 4 of that Protocol, Ireland is not bound

by it or subject to its application.

(7) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark,

annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the

European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not

bound by it or subject to its application.

(8) The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42

of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council2 and

delivered an opinion on [[XX][XX]2026].

(9) Therefore, the Agreement should be signed, and the declarations on a Security of

Information Agreement, ETIAS and EU Visa Information System should be made,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and INTERPOL

with regard to border security, as part of border management, is hereby authorised, subject to

the conclusion of that Agreement3.

Article 2

The declarations are hereby approved4.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on […].

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

2 Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the

protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions,

bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC)

No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39). 3 The text of the Agreement will be published together with the decision on its conclusion. 4 The declarations are published in OJ L, …, ELI ….

EN EN

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 1.10.2026 COM(2026) 521 final

ANNEX

ANNEX

to the

Proposal for a Council Decision

on the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the

International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) with regard to border

security, as part of border management

EN 1 EN

ANNEX

COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION – INTERPOL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part ONE: COMMON PROVISIONS

Part One, Section 1: Initial provisions

Article 1: Purpose and implementation

Article 2: Definitions

Article 3: Safeguards to protect human rights

Article 4: Neutrality

Article 5: Access restrictions and use conditions

Part One, Section 2: Protection of information

Article 6: Appropriate safeguards for information processed under this Agreement

Article 7: Purposes of processing

Article 8: General processing principles

Article 9: Special categories

Article 10: Decisions based on automated processing

Article 11: Availability and processing of information

Article 12: Right to access to information

Article 13: Right to rectification and deletion

Article 14: Information regarding access, rectification, deletion and redress

Article 15: Retention and maintaining the accuracy of information

Article 16: Maintaining records

Article 17: Data security, integrity and confidentiality

Article 18: Data protection officers

Article 19: Oversight

Article 20: Right to redress

Article 21: Access, rectification, deletion, and redress for entities

Article 22: Notification of implementation

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PART TWO: COOPERATION BETWEEN INTERPOL AND EUROPOL,

EUROJUST, THE EPPO AND THE EBCGA

Part Two, Section 1: General provisions

Article 23: Object and scope of cooperation between INTERPOL and Europol, Eurojust, the

EPPO and the EBCGA

Article 24: Indirect access

Article 25: Direct Access

Article 26: General principles governing access to and exchange of information

Article 27: Strategic, technical, and operational coordination and planning

Article 28: Liaison Personnel

Article 29: Spontaneous information

Part Two, Section 2: Specific provisions relating to Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and

the EBCGA

Article 30: Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – Europol Cooperation

Article 31: Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – Eurojust Cooperation

Article 32: Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – EPPO Cooperation

Article 33: Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – EBCGA Cooperation

PART THREE: COOPERATION WITH RESPECT TO THE EUROPEAN TRAVEL

INFORMATION AND AUTHORISATION SYSTEM (ETIAS)

Article 34: Direct access to and use of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) and Travel

Documents Associated with Notices (TDAWN) data for the purposes of ETIAS

Article 35: Member States of the European Union and other countries that apply Article 34

PART FOUR: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Article 36: European Union support to the implementation of this Agreement

Article 37: Costs

PART FIVE: FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 38: Use of Name and Distinctive Signs

Article 39: Privileges and Immunities

Article 40: Use of European Union Administered Infrastructure

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Article 41: Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee

Article 42: Amendment

Article 43: Future Supplementary Arrangements

Article 44: Application of prior agreements, arrangements and memoranda of understanding

Article 45: Joint review

Article 46: Settlement of disputes

Article 47: Liability

Article 48: Suspension

Article 49: Termination

Article 50: Entry into force

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Preamble

The European Union,

and

The International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL (INTERPOL),

AWARE of transnational and cross-border crime’s ever-increasing nature and the need to

enhance law enforcement cooperation at the regional and global levels;

RECALLING that the European Union has the objective of maintaining and developing an

area of freedom, security and justice, in which a high level of internal security within the

Union is ensured through measures to prevent and combat crime, and through coordination

and cooperation between law enforcement and judicial authorities;

RECOGNIZING that INTERPOL is a global inter-governmental criminal police organization

that plays a critical role in facilitating cooperation among law enforcement and judicial

authorities around the world in accordance with the safeguards of its Constitution and legal

framework;

CONSIDERING the importance of close cooperation between the European Union, and

INTERPOL for purposes of prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of criminal

offenses and execution of criminal penalties, and border security, as part of border

management and border control activities;

CONSIDERING the role of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation

(Europol), the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), the

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (the EPPO) and the European Border and Coast Guard

Agency (the EBCGA) in those areas of cooperation;

BEARING IN MIND the values shared by the European Union and INTERPOL reflected in

the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights;

RECALLING that the European Union is founded on the principles of respect for human

rights and fundamental freedoms, including the prohibition of death penalty and any form of

inhuman treatment or punishment, as reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the

European Union. These principles also apply to the European Union’s cooperation with

INTERPOL;

DESIRING to establish a lasting legal framework through which to enhance or establish

cooperation between the European Union and INTERPOL;

REAFFIRMING that the European Union and INTERPOL consider one another as partners

that will cooperate based on the principle of reciprocity.

Have agreed as follows:

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Part ONE: COMMON PROVISIONS

Part One, Section 1: Initial provisions

Article 1

Purpose and implementation

(1) The purpose of this Agreement is to further cooperation between the European Union

and INTERPOL in the areas of:

(a) law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, in order to

prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute criminal offenses and execute

criminal penalties including cooperation on asset recovery within the

framework of proceedings in criminal matters; and

(b) border security, meaning, for the purpose of this Agreement, identification of

security risks, prevention and detection of cross-border crime, as part of border

management and border control activities.

(2) The terms of this Agreement regulate strategic, technical and operational

cooperation; they also set out safeguards concerning the exchange of information.

(3) The European Union and INTERPOL shall implement the obligations of this

Agreement in their respective legal frameworks.

(4) This Agreement is without prejudice to cooperation not regulated by this Agreement

between INTERPOL and the EU Member States and other member countries of

INTERPOL.

(5) This Agreement is also without prejudice to cooperation between the European

Union and INTERPOL that is not regulated by this Agreement.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purpose of this Agreement:

(a) “INTERPOL Information System” means all the structured material resources

and software used by INTERPOL – databases, communications infrastructure,

advanced sensor technology and other services – to process data through its

channels in the context of international police cooperation.

(b) “Information” means personal and non-personal data.

(c) “Indirect access” means:

(i) for INTERPOL, the provision of information to, or the receipt of

information from, the information system(s) of a European Union body

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or agency covered by the Agreement, with the assistance of that

European Union body or agency, and

(ii) for a European Union body or agency, the provision of information to, or

the receipt of information from, the INTERPOL Information System with

the assistance of the INTERPOL General Secretariat.

(d) “Direct access” means:

(i) for INTERPOL, the provision of information to, or the receipt of

information from, information system(s) of a European Union body or

agency covered by this Agreement by expressly authorized persons

without the assistance of that European Union body or agency, and

(ii) for a European Union body or agency, the provision of information to, or

the receipt of information from, the INTERPOL Information System by

expressly authorized persons without the assistance of the INTERPOL

General Secretariat.

(e) “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable

natural person.

(f) “Biometric data” means personal data relating to physical, biological,

behavioural or physiological characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial images,

or DNA profiles that have been subject to specific technical processing to

enable or confirm the identification of an individual.

Article 3

Safeguards to protect human rights

(1) The European Union and INTERPOL shall, in their respective legal frameworks,

maintain safeguards to protect human rights and liberties in the spirit of the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights, with respect to information received pursuant to this

Agreement.

(2) The European Union and INTERPOL shall each have in place measures to provide

for the effective implementation of the safeguards described in paragraph 1.

Article 4

Neutrality

Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as providing a basis for any intervention or

activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

Article 5

Access restrictions and use conditions

(1) (a) With regard to information provided under this agreement, Europol, Eurojust,

the EPPO, the EBCGA and the INTERPOL General Secretariat may specify:

EN 7 EN

(i) access restrictions, by indicating which countries, international entities as

designated under INTERPOL’s rules or other European Union bodies

and agencies shall be able to obtain the information;

(ii) use conditions, including conditions on the use of the information as

evidence in criminal proceedings.

(b) The recipient of the information may seek consultations regarding an access

restriction or use condition, including, in particular, to clarify its scope.

(c) The European Union and INTERPOL shall each have in place effective

measures to provide for compliance with access restrictions and use

conditions.

(2) Access restrictions and use conditions under paragraph 1 may be general or apply

only to the provision of information in individual cases. Access restrictions and use

conditions may be changed at any time.

(3) For purposes of paragraph 1:

(a) INTERPOL shall specify the access restrictions placed by the source National

Central Bureau or international entity as designated under INTERPOL’s rules,

and use conditions placed by the source National Central Bureau, national or

international entity as designated under INTERPOL’s rules.

(b) In addition to the access restrictions and use conditions placed by the source

country or international organization, Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the

EBCGA may specify additional access restrictions and use conditions. This

Agreement creates no additional basis to impose further access restrictions and

use conditions beyond those required by applicable EU law.

Part One, Section 2: Protection of information

Article 6

Appropriate safeguards for information processed under this Agreement

(1) The processing of information received under this Agreement shall be carried out in

accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(2) This Agreement sets out safeguards that shall provide an appropriate level of

protection for information accessed or exchanged under this Agreement.

(3) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the recipient of information under this

Agreement from applying stronger safeguards when processing such information.

(4) Transfer of personal data may be suspended, through the access restriction

mechanism, when the provider of personal data has evidence of systematic or

material breach of the terms of this Agreement, or that material breach is imminent,

EN 8 EN

by the recipient of the personal data. This shall not negate any applicable

requirement to notify or verify the accuracy and relevance of data as to information

that has been checked.

Article 7

Purposes of processing

(1) Processing of information received under this Agreement shall only be for purposes

of:

(a) law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, in order to

prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute criminal offenses and execute

criminal penalties including cooperation on asset recovery within the

framework of proceedings in criminal matters; and

(b) border security, meaning, for the purpose of this Agreement, identification of

security risks, prevention and detection of cross-border crime, as part of border

management and border control activities.

(2) In particular, processing shall be for the purpose(s) specified, as applicable:

(a) for direct or indirect access to or exchange of information, or for the

spontaneous transmission of information, in accordance with Article

26(1)(a)(i);

(b) in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 34.

Article 8

General processing principles

(1) The European Union and INTERPOL shall provide, in their respective legal

frameworks, that the information shall be:

(a) processed in a lawful and transparent manner;

(b) relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes of such processing;

(c) accurate and, where necessary, up-to-date;

(d) kept for no longer than as provided in Article 15; and

(e) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the information as

provided in Article 17.

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(2) Safeguards pursuant to this Section shall apply irrespective of the nationality of the

person whose information is concerned.

Article 9

Special categories

(1) The processing of personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions,

religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, biometric data and

data concerning health or sexuality, shall be permitted only where particularly

important and relevant to achieve the purpose(s) for which it is processed, and under

additional safeguards in particular to guard against discrimination.

(2) With respect to information about victims, witnesses, minors and deceased persons,

the following shall apply:

(a) their status as victim, witness, minor or deceased person shall be specified;

(b) regarding information concerning victims or witnesses, the information may be

processed only in the context of the events or acts in which they are victims or

witnesses, and no restrictive measures are to be taken against them;

(c) regarding information concerning minors, any particular conditions applicable

under national law shall be specified;

(d) regarding information concerning deceased persons, the information shall be

processed for identification or crime analysis purposes, or in the context of a

criminal case.

Article 10

Decisions based on automated processing

Decisions that produce a significant adverse effect on an individual shall not be based solely

on the automated processing of the personal data received under this Agreement, unless

authorised under law and subject to the availability of appropriate safeguards, including

human intervention.

Article 11

Availability and processing of information

(1) Information received pursuant to Part Two shall be available for processing by the

authorised staff of the INTERPOL General Secretariat and of Europol, Eurojust, the

EPPO or the EBCGA, as applicable;

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(2) In the case of indirect access and exchange of information, subject to the provider of

the information having given prior explicit authorisation through the access

restrictions mechanism specifying the recipient country(ies) and/or international

entity(ies) as designated under INTERPOL’s rules, with which the information can

be shared, the information received shall be available for processing by the

INTERPOL National Central Bureaus, national and international entities as

designated under INTERPOL rules, within the INTERPOL Information System, and

by the competent authorities of the Member States of the European Union, which

shall comply with the following conditions:

(a) the information is processed for the same purpose(s) indicated in initially

providing it; and

(b) the information is subject to the safeguards and conditions applying to the

initial transfer, in particular those stemming from Section 2 of Part One and

Articles 3, 4, 5 and 26 of this Agreement, including any use conditions

specified under Article 5.

(3) By way of derogation from the conditions set out in paragraph (2), in the case of

direct access to the INTERPOL databases listed in Article 25 of this Agreement:

(a) information recorded by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, as

applicable, shall be available to the INTERPOL National Central Bureaus and

national entities – including those of Member States of the European Union –,

as well as international entities – including European Union bodies and

agencies –, which have access rights to the specific database, in compliance

with the INTERPOL rules applicable to information recorded in INTERPOL

databases.

(b) information limited to what is necessary to comply with the INTERPOL rules

applicable to verifying the accuracy, relevance and use of data, and notification

of positive query results, shall be available to the INTERPOL National Central

Bureaus and national entities – including those of Member States of the

European Union –, as well as to Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA,

as applicable, and to other international entities, which have recorded such data

in the specific database;

The purpose(s) for which the information may be used shall be limited to those

authorized under the rules applicable to the database concerned.

(4) Any further sharing of information transferred under this Agreement shall be

permitted only with the prior explicit authorisation of the provider of the information,

which may only be granted in accordance with the rules on the transfer of

information applicable to the provider of the information under its legal framework.

The provider of the information shall record in the INTERPOL Information System

the requirement for such prior explicit authorization when initially providing the

EN 11 EN

information. The provider of the information may at any moment modify its decision

or introduce specific conditions.

(5) Without prejudice to the processing of non-personal data:

(a) personal data received pursuant to Part Two shall be available for processing,

only for the performance of their oversight tasks, to the members of the

Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files and to the European Data

Protection Supervisor,

(b) personal data received pursuant to Part Two shall be available for processing,

only for the purpose of exercising their functions of supervising data

processing within the INTERPOL Information System in specific cases and

provided that such data is exclusively disclosed to the extent necessary, to

INTERPOL Executive Committee members.

(6) Information received pursuant to Part Three shall, in addition to the processing

expressly provided for therein, be available for processing:

(a) by the authorized staff of the INTERPOL General Secretariat, only for the

purpose of ensuring proper implementation of Part Three;

(b) for the performance of their oversight tasks, by the members of the

Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files and by the European Data

Protection Supervisor; and

(c) by INTERPOL Executive Committee members, only for the purpose of

exercising their functions of supervising data processing within the

INTERPOL Information System in specific cases, and provided that such data

is exclusively disclosed to the extent necessary.

Article 12

Right to access to information

(1) Any natural person whose information has been received under this Agreement shall

be entitled to seek and obtain from the recipient, in accordance with processes

established in the respective legal frameworks of the European Union and

INTERPOL, and without undue delay, the information sought concerning that

natural person and the legal basis for and purpose(s) of use of such information.

(2) Such access to information in response to any request may only be delayed or

restricted if the provider of the information, in accordance with its legal framework,

including applicable necessity and proportionality standards, and paragraph 3,

requests that information be kept confidential to:

(a) protect public or national security;

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(b) prevent crime;

(c) protect the confidentiality of an investigation or prosecution;

(d) protect the rights and freedoms of the natural person or others;

(e) avoid obstructing official or legal inquiries, investigations, or procedures.

(3) The authority from which access is sought shall, in accordance with processes

established in the respective legal frameworks of the European Union and

INTERPOL, communicate with the provider of the information to ascertain the

applicability of grounds for restrictions or delay. The provider of the information

shall indicate whether and how to apply a restriction. The authority from which

access is sought shall make efforts to avoid compromising the confidentiality of a

case.

(4) Where access is delayed or restricted, the natural person concerned shall be provided,

in writing, with a response informing that natural person of the delay or restriction

and of the basis therefor, to the extent provided under the respective legal

frameworks of the European Union and INTERPOL.

Article 13

Right to rectification and deletion

(1) Any natural person whose information has been received under this Agreement shall

be entitled to seek and obtain from INTERPOL or the European Union body or

agency concerned, as applicable, in accordance with processes established under the

respective legal frameworks and without undue delay, the rectification or deletion

thereof, as appropriate, where such information is inaccurate or has been processed

in violation of this Section. Information retained in violation of Article 15 shall be

deleted.

(2) Where rectification or deletion is delayed or denied, the natural person concerned

shall be provided, in writing, with a response informing that natural person of the

delay or denial and of the basis therefor. The information provided in the response

may be restricted on the same conditions as those provided for in Article 12(2).

Article 14

Information regarding access, rectification, deletion and redress

Information regarding available access, rectification, deletion and remedies shall be provided

either through the publication of a general notice(s) or through personal notice.

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Article 15

Retention and maintaining the accuracy of information

(1) Information shall be retained only for as long as necessary to achieve the purpose(s)

for which the data has been provided. In order to meet this obligation:

(a) time limits shall be established for the storage of information; or

(b) periodic review of the need to retain the information shall take place.

(2) Where the provider of the information has reasons for considering that the

information is incorrect, it shall inform the recipient for purposes of promptly

examining and, if necessary, correcting or deleting the information.

(3) The European Union and INTERPOL shall each have in place effective measures

providing for inaccurate information to be erased or rectified.

Article 16

Maintaining records

(1) Logs shall be maintained, or the processing of information shall be documented or

there shall be other appropriate means to demonstrate how information has been

processed in a specific case.

(2) The records shall be available for purposes of compliance control under the

respective applicable legal frameworks and shall be stored in accordance with the

requirements of Article 17.

Article 17

Data security, integrity and confidentiality

(1) Technical and organizational measures shall be put in place for protecting the

security, integrity and confidentiality of information accessed or exchanged under

this Agreement, including for protecting against loss, unauthorised processing,

destruction and damage.

(2) The measures described in paragraph 1 shall include the appointment of one or more

staff members responsible for security.

(3) In the event of an intrusion or a serious attempted intrusion, or any other violation or

attempted violation of the integrity or confidentiality of information accessed or

exchanged under this Agreement, INTERPOL or the European Union body or

agency concerned that provided the information, as applicable, and their respective

oversight authority, shall be informed for the purpose of facilitating appropriate

measures. Such measures may include additional notification as provided for under

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the respective legal frameworks, including, unless one or more limitations of Article

12(2) apply, notification to the natural person concerned.

Article 18

Data protection officers

Data protection officers shall be designated to monitor compliance of the processing of

information under this Agreement. The data protection officers shall, in particular, establish

and update compliance procedures, train staff, carry out compliance checks and review

security incidents. Where necessary, the data protection officers concerned shall cooperate

with each other.

Article 19

Oversight

(1) Compliance with the personal data protection safeguards set out in this Section shall

be overseen by an identified authority or authorities.

(2) The European Union and INTERPOL shall notify each other of the oversight

authority or authorities that carry out the functions described in this Article.

(3) The oversight authority or authorities shall:

(a) be independent in the performance of its functions;

(b) remain free from external influence;

(c) not solicit or accept instructions;

(d) be appointed for a specified term and benefit from safeguards against arbitrary

removal;

(e) have resources appropriate to the carrying out of its functions;

(f) have powers of investigation;

(g) have the power to act upon requests or complaints;

(h) have the power to impose appropriate corrective action.

(4) The competent oversight authorities of the European Union and of INTERPOL may

consult one another, as appropriate.

Article 20

Right to redress

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The European Union and INTERPOL shall each have in place an independent, impartial and

effective redress mechanism(s) to provide natural persons with remedies for violations of this

Section.

Article 21

Access, rectification, deletion, and redress for entities

The European Union and INTERPOL may provide in their respective legal frameworks that

entities other than natural persons may request to obtain access, rectification, deletion, and

redress with respect to information received under this Agreement.

Article 22

Notification of implementation

The European Union and INTERPOL shall each make publicly available the provisions of its

legal framework implementing this Agreement with respect to the processing of personal data

obtained under this Agreement. This shall include a document or online resource explaining

the functioning of those provisions, including the means available for the exercise of the

rights of data subjects. The European Union and INTERPOL shall also notify each other

thereof.

PART TWO: COOPERATION BETWEEN INTERPOL AND EUROPOL,

EUROJUST, THE EPPO AND THE EBCGA

Part Two, Section 1: General provisions

Article 23

Object and scope of cooperation between INTERPOL and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and

the EBCGA

(1) INTERPOL, on the one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, on

the other, shall cooperate, within the scope of their respective mandates, to assist law

enforcement and judicial authorities in accordance with the applicable provisions of

this Agreement.

(2) Cooperation shall include:

(a) access to and exchange of operational, analytical, strategic, and technical

information, including, inter alia, operational and analytical datasets to identify

information gaps and joint operational opportunities;

(b) coordination and consultation on strategic, operational, and technical matters,

including, inter alia, on:

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(i) joint operational and strategic analysis;

(ii) the preparation of strategic analyses and threat assessments to assist in

laying down strategic and operational priorities for fighting crime, in

particular, in the context of the European Multidisciplinary Platform

Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), and of countering terrorism;

(iii) the operational planning and implementation of the priorities described in

subparagraph ii;

(c) participation in and organization of operational and action task forces and joint

investigation teams, where authorized by participating countries;

(d) assistance in the identification of individuals and groups whose activities give

rise to a high risk of criminal offences being committed, such as high-risk

criminal networks and high value targets, and joint coordinated and prioritized

investigations regarding these individuals and groups;

(e) support for investigations of wanted individuals, including by seeking

assistance from the public;

(f) support for illicit assets tracing and recovery;

(g) sharing of expertise and specialized training opportunities;

(h) participation in and organization of bilateral meetings, conferences and public

awareness campaigns;

(i) cooperation and coordination in research and innovation activities;

(j) cooperation and coordination in the development and use of operational

products or technical solutions, including common guidelines and best

practices;

(k) exploration of synergies in cooperation with the private sector, civil society,

and individuals, including with respect to threat-related information;

(l) assignment of liaison staff and exchange of personnel;

(m) any other mutually authorized activity consistent with their respective legal

frameworks.

(3) For the purposes of processing information in the INTERPOL Information System

under this Agreement, INTERPOL shall apply to Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and

the EBCGA, the rules and procedures applicable to international entities, provided

for under the INTERPOL Rules on the Processing of Data (INTERPOL RPD) and

under the Statute of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files, as in

force on the date of the signing of this Agreement. Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and

the EBCGA shall comply with the rules and procedures applicable to international

entities, provided for under the INTERPOL RPD and under the Statute of the

Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files, as in force on the date of the

signing of this Agreement.

(4) INTERPOL, on the one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, on

the other, shall arrange periodic meetings, and where appropriate, ad hoc meetings, at

the appropriate level, between representatives responsible for the areas of

cooperation set out in this Part, to assess the cooperation between them.

EN 17 EN

Article 24

Indirect access

(1) Indirect access shall be provided as follows:

(a) INTERPOL, Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA shall each

designate and authorize:

(i) a limited number of their staff for whose tasks it is necessary to obtain

indirect access; and

(ii) the staff responsible for providing such access.

(b) INTERPOL, on the one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the

EBCGA, on the other, shall notify each other of the list of authorized staff

described in paragraph (1)(a) and any change(s) thereto.

(c) A request shall be sent by the staff of the requestor, authorised pursuant to

paragraph (1)(a)(i) to the staff of the recipient of the request, authorised

pursuant to paragraph (1)(a)(ii).

(i) Indirect access to, or exchange of, information shall be sought by means

of a clear and reasoned request.

(ii) The request shall set out:

– background information regarding its purpose(s);

– where applicable, whether the requestor intends to record in its

databases any information provided in the response, to whom it

may disclose such information, and any other intended processing;

and

– any access restrictions or use conditions on the information.

(iii) Where the request is granted, the response shall set out whether the

information may be recorded in the requestor’s databases, and any other

access restrictions or use conditions on the information.

(d) In addition to other indirect access, access to analytical products shall be

provided under the following conditions:

EN 18 EN

(i) The INTERPOL General Secretariat shall make available to Europol,

Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA the products of its Criminal

Analysis Files when they are participating in the project or involved in

the crime analysis;

(ii) Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA shall make available

relevant information processed by them to the INTERPOL General

Secretariat for the purpose of operational analyses, when INTERPOL is

participating in the project or involved in the crime analysis.

(e) Where a request cannot be fulfilled or is refused, including as a result of access

restrictions, the recipient of the request shall notify the requestor.

(2) In principle, indirect access shall be available when information sought cannot be

obtained by means of direct access.

(3) Further modalities for indirect access may be specified in an arrangement(s).

Article 25

Direct Access

(1) Subject to Articles 37 and 44, direct access shall be provided by INTERPOL:

(a) to Europol –

(i) to the International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database in

accordance with the terms of the Bilateral Agreement for the

Interconnection of Computer Systems of 26 September 2014;

(ii) to the INTERPOL Illicit Arms Records and Tracing Management System

(iARMS) and the INTERPOL Firearms Reference Table (IFRT) in

accordance with the terms of the Bilateral Agreement between the

International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL and the

European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) on

Granting Direct Access to INTERPOL’s Illicit Arms Records and

Tracing Management System (iARMS) of 12 April 2023;

(b) to the EBCGA – to the Frontex INTERPOL Electronic Library Document

System (FIELDS) in accordance with the terms of the Implementing

Arrangement on direct access and use of INTERPOL Information System

between the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO – INTERPOL)

and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) of 20 December

EN 19 EN

2016 and with the terms of the Frontex – INTERPOL Electronic Library

Document System (“FIELDS”) Technical Agreement of 18 November 2024;

until the relevant agreement or arrangement referred to in points (a) and (b) are

terminated or replaced.

(2) Direct access to INTERPOL’s:

(a) Electronic Documentation and Information System on Investigation Networks

with Information on Travel Documents (EDISON) shall be granted to Europol,

Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA;

(b) Frontex INTERPOL Electronic Library Document System (FIELDS) shall be

granted to Europol, Eurojust and the EPPO;

(c) INTERPOL Illicit Arms Records and tracing Management System (iARMS)

shall be granted to Eurojust;

(d) INTERPOL Firearms Reference Table (IFRT) shall be granted to Eurojust, the

EPPO and the EBCGA;

(e) Stolen Vessels Database (SVD) shall be granted to the EPPO and the EBCGA;

in accordance with the modalities and conditions to be set out in arrangements to be

concluded between Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO, the EBCGA and INTERPOL, as

soon as possible after the entry into force of this Agreement.

(3) Where the characteristics of the database provide for the recording of data, Europol,

Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA shall record pertinent data in the database

beyond data available from Member State(s) of the European Union.

(4) The European Union and INTERPOL shall meet annually in the context of the Joint

European Union – INTERPOL Committee established under Article 41 to examine

how indirect and direct access are functioning and how they can be further enhanced.

On the basis of such examination, they may decide to take measures to further

improve cooperation, in accordance with their respective legal frameworks.

Examination of direct access by the EPPO to the Stolen Motor Vehicles database

shall be prioritised.

Article 26

General principles governing access to and exchange of information

(1) For the purposes of this Part, except as otherwise provided pursuant to Article 25

(a) access to and exchange of information, shall be:

EN 20 EN

(i) used only for the purpose(s) specified in the relevant agreements and

arrangements on direct access referred to in Article 25, or, in the case of

indirect access to or exchange of information, or spontaneous

transmission of information, as specified at the time the information is

provided. Authorization shall be sought and obtained prior to use for any

additional purpose;

(ii) subject to any applicable access restrictions or use conditions.

(b) the information obtained shall be shared internally within INTERPOL,

Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, respectively, on a strictly need-

to-know basis.

(c) with respect to indirect access to and exchange of information, prior to that

information being provided, the provider of the information shall assess

whether providing such information is compliant with the terms of this

Agreement and, as applicable, with its legal framework.

(d) authorisation shall be sought and obtained from the provider of the information

in order to:

(i) insert information received via direct access into the recipient’s databases

in a manner permitting access by other than the recipient's authorized

staff specified in the relevant agreement or arrangement on direct access

described in Article 25;

(ii) insert information received via indirect access or information exchange

into the recipient's databases.

(e) in order to facilitate notification of, and follow up with, the source of the

information, and subject to subparagraph (f):

(i) when information from INTERPOL is checked against information held

by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO, or the EBCGA, resulting in a positive

query result, Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO or the EBCGA, as applicable,

shall inform the INTERPOL General Secretariat thereof;

(ii) when information from Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO, or the EBCGA, is

checked against information held by INTERPOL, resulting in a positive

query result, the INTERPOL General Secretariat shall inform Europol,

Eurojust, the EPPO or the EBCGA, as applicable, thereof.

(f) prior to the making of a request or query, the applicable access restrictions

shall be indicated. Access restrictions may be changed at any time; such

change will be applied as of that moment.

EN 21 EN

(2) For the purposes of facilitating the exchange of information, INTERPOL may agree

with Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and/or the EBCGA on modalities to enhance

access to, or exchange of, information, such as in relation to the potential

compatibility of, or conversion of information between, their respective data models

and information messaging systems.

(3) (a) With respect to access to, or receipt of information:

(i) by INTERPOL that is considered under European Union law to be

sensitive non-classified information; and

(ii) by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA that is considered under

INTERPOL’s legal framework to be INTERPOL For Official Use Only,

INTERPOL, Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA shall each have in

place an organisational framework, policies and measures providing for:

– staff who access or receive information to comply with the

requirements of Article 24(1)(a) and paragraph 1(b) of this Article;

– information received under this Part to be protected until destroyed,

including protection of physical premises and information systems

in accordance with the requirements of Article 17;

– staff who access or receive information to be subject to security

screening in accordance with the respective legal frameworks and

to be made aware, including through training, of the applicable

requirements;

– information security risks to be assessed and managed on a regular

basis.

(b) In view of the measures referred to in subparagraph (a), INTERPOL, Europol,

Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA shall be deemed to meet the respective

requirements for access to or receipt of such information, whether received via

a communications system, meeting or any other means, and no further security

clearance shall be required.

(c) Access to and exchange of European Union classified information or

INTERPOL information at a level higher than INTERPOL For Official Use

Only shall be conditional upon the conclusion of a Security of Information

Agreement (SIA) between the European Union and INTERPOL and shall be

carried out pursuant to its terms.

(d) Notwithstanding subparagraph (c), until the SIA enters into force, classified

information may be released in accordance with the respective legal

frameworks of the European Union and INTERPOL.

(4) For purposes of facilitating secure communication:

EN 22 EN

(a) channels of communications between Europol and INTERPOL pursuant to the

Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Secure

Communication Line between the European Police Office, and the

International Criminal Police Organisation – INTERPOL of 11 October 2011

and the Bilateral Agreement between Europol and INTERPOL for the

Interconnection of Computer Networks Bilateral Agreement between Europol

and INTERPOL for the Interconnection of Computer Networks of 26

September 2014, shall continue until terminated or replaced;

(b) Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA may be granted access to

INTERPOL’s I 24/7 messaging system, via an arrangement(s) setting out the

terms and conditions of such access;

(c) Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, on the one hand, and

INTERPOL, on the other hand, may agree on additional measures to enhance

communication between them; and

(d) if the communication systems of Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO or the EBCGA

are to be used for operational communications between Member States of the

European Union and INTERPOL member countries that are not Member States

of the European Union, the European Union and INTERPOL shall consult with

a view to eliminating, to the greatest extent possible, fragmentation and

duplication of exchange of information.

(5) INTERPOL shall provide Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA with access

to the parts of the INTERPOL Information System needed to apply the requirements

of this Agreement.

Article 27

Strategic, technical, and operational coordination and planning

(1) With respect to technical, operational and strategic coordination, INTERPOL, on the

one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, on the other hand,

shall:

(a) regularly coordinate the planning and execution of operations to prevent,

detect, investigate or prosecute criminal offenses;

(b) when using information obtained from a provider under this Part, the recipient

shall consult with the provider, with a view to including the provider in the

planning and execution of their respective operations. The notification of

positive query results to the source(s) of the information shall not be sufficient

to comply with the consultation procedure set out in this paragraph;

(c) consult and coordinate on their activities that also fall within the other’s

mandate and mission, as part of their mutual cooperation and for the purpose of

enhancing existing systems and capabilities. This shall include:

EN 23 EN

(i) support for the development of strategies and operational action plans

involving Member States of the European Union in common threat areas

under their respective mandates;

(ii) operational activities and criminal analysis files by INTERPOL involving

Member States of the European Union;

(iii) operational activities, analysis projects and cooperation initiatives by

Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA involving INTERPOL

member countries that are not Member States of the European Union

and/or international organizations;

(iv) field deployments in support of Member States of the European Union.

(2) For operations in which INTERPOL participates with Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO

and/or the EBCGA, such consultation and coordination shall include coordination

with respect to relevant activities, strategies, communications and final analytical

products circulated to INTERPOL member countries, Member States of the

European Union, and the public.

(3) INTERPOL National Central Bureaus, wherever possible, shall be involved for the

purposes of communication and coordination of activities between INTERPOL and

Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and/or the EBCGA, as provided for in this Article.

(4) This Agreement shall be without prejudice to the ability of a representative of an

INTERPOL member country deployed as a liaison officer to Europol, Eurojust, the

EPPO and/or the EBCGA to directly communicate and exchange information with

INTERPOL to the extent authorized by the INTERPOL member country concerned.

(5) Prior to strategic, operational, technical or coordination meetings between

INTERPOL and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and/or the EBCGA, which may

include participation of other persons, authorities or entities, any security clearance

level required for the participants and for the reception of information at such

meetings shall, as appropriate, be agreed in advance.

Article 28

Liaison Personnel

(1) INTERPOL, on the one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, on

the other, may agree to the assignment of liaison personnel.

(2) With respect to the assignment of liaison personnel between:

(a) INTERPOL, on the one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and/or the

EBCGA, on the other hand, the provisions governing tasks, rights, obligations,

privileges and immunities and terms of stationing of liaison personnel shall be

the subject of arrangements governing such liaison relationships.

(b) INTERPOL and Europol, the Memorandum of Understanding as Mentioned in

Article 4 of the Agreement between INTERPOL and Europol of 1 September

2008, and Article 4 of the Agreement between INTERPOL and Europol of 5

EN 24 EN

November 2001, shall apply until the Memorandum of Understanding is

terminated or replaced.

(3) The European Union and INTERPOL may establish a European Union-INTERPOL

liaison group in order to harmonise cooperation and establish synergies.

Article 29

Spontaneous information

INTERPOL, on the one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and/or the EBCGA, on the

other, may, with the authorisation of the source of the information, transmit information to

each other without prior request for the purposes of this Agreement, in accordance with

Section 2 of Part One and other relevant provisions of Part One, including Articles 3, 4 and 5,

as well as the relevant provisions of Section 1 of Part Two.

Part Two, Section 2: Specific provisions relating to Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and

the EBCGA

Article 30

Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – Europol Cooperation

(1) With respect to cooperation between INTERPOL and Europol, the cooperation

described in Article 23 shall include:

(a) coordination and consultation concerning victim identification task forces;

(b) coordination and the provision of advice and support, including through field

deployment, in response to terrorist attacks and other major crime incidents;

(c) coordination in support of major international events;

(d) coordination on their respective activities regarding the implementation of

targeted sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council;

(e) participation in ad hoc and permanent joint action task forces and liaison teams

to provide operational support and coordinate international investigations,

where authorized by participating countries, such as the Joint Cybercrime

Action Taskforce (J-CAT) and Counterterrorism Joint Liaison Team (CT JLT),

or their successors;

(f) involvement of INTERPOL in the operational and strategic tasks of Europol’s

centres of specialised expertise for combating crime:

(g) cooperation to prevent and counter child sexual exploitation and abuse,

including the facilitation of the expeditious direct recording by Europol, the

Member States of the European Union and INTERPOL member countries that

are not Member States of the European Union of child sexual exploitation and

abuse content in the ICSE database.

EN 25 EN

(2) Europol shall seek and obtain authorisation from INTERPOL to use information

obtained from INTERPOL in order to propose the possible entry, by a Member State

of the European Union, of information alerts in the Schengen Information System.

Article 31

Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – Eurojust Cooperation

With respect to cooperation between INTERPOL and Eurojust, the cooperation described in

Article 23 shall include:

(a) availability of INTERPOL channels to facilitate judicial cooperation requests,

including requests for provisional arrest with a view to extradition;

(b) coordination and consultation concerning victim identification task forces;

(c) facilitation of the process by which INTERPOL obtains records information

from the European Criminal Records Information System – Third Country

Nationals (ECRIS-TCN);

(d) cooperation and coordination regarding action against wanted persons,

including with respect to INTERPOL notices and diffusions and European

Arrest Warrants;

(e) where authorized by participating countries, facilitation of cooperation

regarding joint investigation teams; particularly involving INTERPOL member

countries that are not Member States of the European Union;

(f) facilitating INTERPOL’s participation in actions of the Eurojust Coordination

Centre on operational joint action days, particularly when such actions involve

INTERPOL member countries that are not Member States of the European

Union.

Article 32

Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – EPPO Cooperation

(1) With respect to cooperation between INTERPOL and the EPPO, the cooperation

described in Article 23 shall include:

(a) availability of INTERPOL channels to facilitate judicial cooperation and

exchange of information with the EPPO, including with European Delegated

Prosecutors;

(b) facilitation of cooperation, particularly between the EPPO and authorities of

INTERPOL member countries that are not Member States of the European

Union.

(2) A request seeking assistance in an EPPO case shall clearly state that it concerns an

EPPO case.

EN 26 EN

Article 33

Additional provisions relating to INTERPOL – EBCGA Cooperation

(1) With respect to cooperation between INTERPOL and the EBCGA, the cooperation

described in Article 23 shall include coordination and consultation in planning and

carrying out border management activities, including operational activities, where

appropriate, particularly in regions outside the European Union in which the EBCGA

is authorized to operate.

(2) The participation of the EBCGA in operations shall not preclude the exchange of

personal data between INTERPOL and Europol, Eurojust and the EPPO, in

compliance with the respective applicable legal frameworks.

PART THREE: COOPERATION WITH RESPECT TO THE EUROPEAN TRAVEL

INFORMATION AND AUTHORISATION SYSTEM (ETIAS)

Article 34

Direct access to and use of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) and Travel Documents

Associated with Notices (TDAWN) data for the purposes of ETIAS

(1) The European Union and INTERPOL shall cooperate with respect to ETIAS, for the

purpose of security checks, border management and border control activities, in

accordance with the provisions of this Article and other applicable provisions of this

Agreement. To that end:

(a) INTERPOL shall apply to the ETIAS Central Unit the rules and procedures

applicable to International Entities, provided for under the INTERPOL RPD

and under the Statute of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files,

as in force on the date of the signing of this Agreement. The ETIAS Central

Unit shall comply with the rules and procedures applicable to International

Entities, provided for under the INTERPOL RPD and under the Statute of the

Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files, as in force on the date of

the signing of this Agreement. This paragraph shall not be interpreted to

prejudice Article 34(2)(d). For the purposes of this Agreement, the ETIAS

Central Unit shall not be considered part of the EBCGA;

(b) the ETIAS Central Unit shall designate a team responsible for relations with

INTERPOL as the sole authority to access SLTD and TDAWN data;

(c) duly authorised staff within that team shall be provided access via the ETIAS

Information System to SLTD and TDAWN data, subject to the conditions set

forth in paragraphs 2 to 7.

EN 27 EN

(2) The European Union and INTERPOL shall take the necessary steps in order that

such access to SLTD and TDAWN complies with the following conditions:

(a) the ETIAS Central System shall be able to directly access SLTD and TDAWN,

or a subset thereof, via the European Search Portal, in order to make automated

queries using the following travel document elements inserted by the applicant

in the ETIAS application form: (i) the document identification number; (ii) the

country of issuance; and (iii) the type of travel document;

(b) the ETIAS Central Unit shall receive either an indication of a negative result or

the INTERPOL assigned SLTD and/or TDAWN notice reference number(s),

the travel document identification number and, where available, the country of

issuance and the type of travel document. The duly authorized staff of the

ETIAS Central Unit shall be able to access these data to verify whether they

correspond to the data in the application file of nationals of countries that are

not Member States of the European Union applying for an ETIAS travel

authorisation;

(c) the ETIAS Central Unit shall manually verify that the travel document data

obtained from the query corresponds to the travel document data in the

application form. Once it has been established that the data correspond, it shall

transmit the data described in subparagraph (b) to the ETIAS National Unit that

is to decide whether to grant or refuse issuance of the travel authorisation to the

applicant. That ETIAS National Unit shall use the data only for the purpose of

carrying out security risk assessments to decide whether to grant or refuse the

issuance of the travel authorisation;

(d) in view of the limited nature of the query, the response and the verification

process described in subparagraphs (a) to (c), and the characteristics of SLTD

and TDAWN, no automated notification to the source of the INTERPOL data

shall take place upon query by the ETIAS Central System and verification by

the ETIAS Central Unit;

(e) as part of its security assessment, the ETIAS National Unit shall directly

consult with, and transmit the INTERPOL reference number(s) to, the

INTERPOL National Central Bureau of its Member State or other country

concerned pursuant to Article 35, for the purpose of that National Central

Bureau conducting checks with the source of the data to determine that the data

obtained from INTERPOL are still accurate and relevant and, where

appropriate, take measures. In doing so, that National Central Bureau shall act

in accordance with the rights and obligations applicable under INTERPOL’s

rules when it uses data it has directly obtained from SLTD and/or TDAWN,

including notifying and following up with the National Central Bureau(s)

concerned or the INTERPOL General Secretariat;

(f) in addition to other limitations on the use of INTERPOL data set out in this

Article, officials who obtain such data shall not reveal them, directly or

indirectly, to the applicant or any other person, without the express

authorization of INTERPOL;

(g) the INTERPOL General Secretariat may adopt technical modalities to facilitate

respect for access restrictions imposed by the source of the data.

EN 28 EN

(3) Without prejudice to the access of a National Central Bureau pursuant to paragraph

2, the National Central Bureau of the Member State of the European Union or other

country concerned pursuant to Article 35, where designated by that Member State or

country as a law enforcement designated authority, may access, pursuant to

Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 (ETIAS Regulation) and for the purpose of the

prevention, detection, and investigation of terrorist offences or other serious criminal

offences, data recorded in the ETIAS Central System. When National Central

Bureaus receive data from the ETIAS Central System, upon their request as

designated authorities, they may transfer those data to countries that are not Member

States of the European Union in accordance with the applicable conditions set out in

the ETIAS Regulation.

(4) The data obtained from INTERPOL shall not be used to establish or implement the

ETIAS screening rules or the ETIAS watchlist or, except as specified in this Article,

be transmitted outside the ETIAS Central or National Units or inserted into the

ETIAS Information System by the ETIAS Central or National Units in a manner

permitting access by other bodies, agencies or authorities, without having sought and

obtained the authorisation of the INTERPOL General Secretariat.

(5) When monitoring and evaluating the implementation of ETIAS, the European Union

shall take the necessary steps for the European Commission to:

(a) provide INTERPOL, upon request, with available anonymised statistics on the

querying of SLTD and TDAWN for the purposes of ETIAS, including

available information on the number of positive results, the number of travel

authorisations refused following such positive results, as well as with

information on any problems encountered;

(b) consult with INTERPOL regarding SLTD and TDAWN queries through the

ETIAS Information System before making recommendations to the European

Parliament and the Council.

(6) The European Union shall, in consultation and coordination with the INTERPOL

General Secretariat, develop practical guidance for the implementation of this

Article.

(7) INTERPOL and eu-LISA shall put in place arrangement(s) and undertake activities

necessary for the technical implementation of this Article.

(8) The European Union and INTERPOL shall jointly review the implementation of this

Article one year after ETIAS access to SLTD and TDAWN commences, in particular

with regard to the timely and meaningful notification of, and follow up with, the

source of the data pursuant to paragraph 2(e). Subsequent reviews shall be conducted

no later than every two years. Reviews shall be carried out swiftly.

If, upon such review, the European Union or INTERPOL identifies recurrent or

significant non-compliance with the provisions of this Article, the European Union

and INTERPOL shall engage without delay in consultations to resolve the

problem(s) identified.

EN 29 EN

The period of this consultation and resolution shall not exceed four months. If no

resolution is reached within that period, either the European Union or INTERPOL

may suspend ETIAS access to SLTD and TDAWN by written notification until a

resolution is reached. The suspension shall take effect twenty days from the date of

receipt of such notification and shall be lifted upon transmission of a subsequent

written notification to that effect.

Notwithstanding the third subparagraph of this paragraph, in case of urgency, the

European Union or INTERPOL may provisionally suspend ETIAS access to SLTD

or TDAWN, in which case notification to the other and consultations shall

commence immediately thereafter.

Article 35

Member States of the European Union and other countries that apply Article 34

(1) The European Union shall notify INTERPOL in writing of the ETIAS National Units

and National Central Bureaus of the Member States of the European Union applying

the relevant provisions of Article 34.

(2) The ETIAS Central Unit shall not provide the data described in paragraph 2(b) of

Article 34:

(a) to the ETIAS National Units of the Member States of the European Union that

have not been the subject of a notification pursuant to paragraph 1 of this

Article; and

(b) until after the European Union has been notified of the completion by

INTERPOL of its process for determining whether technical modalities are

required to facilitate respect for access restrictions imposed by the source of the

data. INTERPOL shall make such notification as soon as possible. Such

notification shall be deemed to have been given, if no notification of

completion is received within six months of the notification pursuant to

paragraph 1 of this Article.

(3) The ETIAS Central Unit shall not provide the data described in paragraph 2(b) of

Article 34 for use by the ETIAS National Units of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway,

the Swiss Confederation or the Principality of Liechtenstein until after:

(a) a bilateral agreement between the relevant country and INTERPOL, providing

for its national authorities to comply with the obligations of this Agreement

pertaining to ETIAS, has entered into force; and

(b) the European Union has been notified of the completion by INTERPOL of its

process for determining whether technical modalities are required to facilitate

respect for access restrictions imposed by the source of the data. INTERPOL

EN 30 EN

shall make such notification as soon as possible. Such notification shall be

deemed to have been given, if no notification of completion is received within

six months of the entry into force of the bilateral agreement concerned.

(4) In the event that there is a period of time between the date on which the ETIAS

Central Unit may provide data to the ETIAS National Units of the Member States of

the European Union in accordance with paragraph 2 and the date on which the

ETIAS Central Unit may provide such data to the ETIAS National Units of Iceland,

the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation or the Principality of

Liechtenstein in accordance with paragraph 3, the ETIAS Central Unit shall, during

that period, designate a Member State of the European Union that has been notified

pursuant to paragraph 1, to process the data in place of a country to which the data

may not yet be provided pursuant to paragraph 3.

(5) The obligations of the European Union under Article 34 shall apply with respect to

all Member States of the European Union participating in ETIAS that have been

subject to a notification pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article and with respect to all

other countries that have concluded agreements referred to in paragraph 3(a) of this

Article.

PART FOUR: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Article 36

European Union support to the implementation of this Agreement

The European Union, on its own initiative or at the request of INTERPOL, may facilitate the

secondment of experts to the INTERPOL General Secretariat. Secondments shall be

effectuated in accordance with the respective applicable rules of INTERPOL and the legal

framework applicable to the seconding authority, with the aim to support the cooperation

under this Agreement, including to support INTERPOL in promoting transparency,

accountability, and respect for human rights in the operation of its systems.

Article 37

Costs

(1) The European Union and INTERPOL shall each bear their own costs for the

implementation of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs 2, 3

and 4 of this Article.

(2) Europol shall pay the costs relating to ICSE, as provided for in the agreement

referred to in Article 44(2)(a)(iv), and to iARMS, as provided in the agreement

referred to in Article 44(2)(a)(ii). The EBCGA shall pay the costs relating to FIELDS

as provided for in the agreement referred to in Article 44(2)(a)(i).

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Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA shall pay the costs of establishing their

respective connections to INTERPOL databases for the purposes of Article 25(2) of

this Agreement, and other connections they may agree to establish to INTERPOL

Information System for the purposes of Article 26(4)(b) and (c) and Article 26(5),

provided however, that no connection fees to iARMS and FIELDS shall be paid by

the European Union bodies and agencies that are granted direct access to such

database pursuant to Article 25(2)(b) and (c).

The European Union shall pay the costs to establish connections to SLTD and

TDAWN for the purposes of Articles 34 and 35, and the costs to configure SLTD

and TDAWN for the purposes of the ETIAS Central System directly accessing

subsets of SLTD and TDAWN in accordance with Article 34(2)(a).

(3) (a) Costs relating to any successor arrangement to ICSE, iARMS and FIELDS

shall be allocated as provided under the terms of such successor arrangement.

(b) Costs relating to any future supplementary arrangement concluded pursuant to:

(i) Article 43(1)(c) and Article 43(2)(b);

(ii) Article 43(1)(a) and Article 43(1)(b)(ii), to the extent the arrangement

provides upgrades of the respective connections, or provides other

upgrades not in place at the time of signature of this Agreement that are

sought by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO or the EBCGA, as applicable;

shall be allocated as provided under the terms of such future supplementary

arrangement.

(4) No later than one year after the entry into force of this Agreement, and every year

after that, the Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee established under

Article 41 shall, on the basis of due justification and relevant documentation

submitted by INTERPOL, review the technical and operational costs incurred in that

year by INTERPOL that are directly attributable to direct access to its databases, and

indirect access and exchange of information under this Agreement. The Committee

shall then decide whether additional payments by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO, the

EBCGA and the European Union, as applicable, may be warranted.

Any possible payment shall be subject to budget availability and shall require prior

budgetary commitment by the competent Union institution.

In case of disagreement concerning additional payments requested by INTERPOL

from the European Union, Article 46 of this Agreement shall apply. If no mutually

agreeable solution is found, INTERPOL may, by written notification, reduce or

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suspend direct access to its databases, indirect access and exchange of information

under this Agreement until a solution is reached.

PART FIVE: FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 38

Use of Name and Distinctive Signs

Neither the European Union nor INTERPOL shall use the emblem, logo, distinctive signs or

any abbreviation of the name of the other, unless otherwise specifically agreed upon in

advance in writing by their respective authorized representatives.

Article 39

Privileges and Immunities

Nothing in or relating to this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver, express or implied, of any

privileges or immunities accorded to the European Union or INTERPOL by their respective

constituent documents, agreements that have been concluded, or under international law,

European Union law or national law, as applicable.

Article 40

Use of European Union Administered Infrastructure

Except as provided for in Part Three, querying of INTERPOL databases by a European Union

body or agency, a Member State of the European Union or another country, through a

European Union administered search tool or communications infrastructure, including the

European Search Portal, shall take place pursuant to further agreements concluded between

the European Union and INTERPOL.

Article 41

Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee

(1) The European Union and INTERPOL shall establish a joint committee for the

purpose of:

(a) facilitating the effective use and implementation of this Agreement;

(b) consulting in relation to significant planned developments, including to their

respective legal frameworks, regarding the forms of cooperation provided for

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in this Agreement that may affect cooperation between the European Union

and INTERPOL;

(c) considering ways to further enhance cooperation between the European Union

and INTERPOL, including carrying out the examination described in Article

25(4);

(d) considering possible amendments to this Agreement proposed by the European

Union or INTERPOL;

(e) carrying out the reviews provided for in Articles 34, 37 and 45;

(f) carrying out the consultations provided for in Articles 46, 48 and 49 of this

Agreement;

(g) adopting amendments modifying Article 25 following completion of the

respective applicable internal approval procedures of the European Union and

INTERPOL.

(2) The Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee shall be comprised of

representatives of the European Union and INTERPOL and shall be led by a senior-

level representative of INTERPOL and a senior-level representative of the European

Union responsible for security.

(3) The Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee shall meet no later than nine

months after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, and thereafter on an

annual basis, unless otherwise agreed. The Committee shall also meet upon the

request of either Party for the consultations provided for in Articles 46, 48 or 49.

(4) The Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee shall adopt procedures and

modalities to enable it to effectively discharge its duties, including the procedure

governing the annual review of costs pursuant to Article 37(4).

Article 42

Amendment

(1) This Agreement may be amended in writing, at any time, by agreement between the

European Union and INTERPOL.

(2) Any amendment shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the last written

notification by which the European Union and INTERPOL notify each other of the

completion of their respective internal legal procedures required for the entry into

force of such amendment.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, amendments to this Agreement that have been

adopted by the Joint European Union – INTERPOL Committee pursuant to Article

41(1)(g), following the completion of the respective applicable internal approval

procedures of the European Union and INTERPOL, shall enter into force on the first

day of the month following the written notification by the European Union and

INTERPOL that they are ready to implement the amendment.

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Article 43

Future Supplementary Arrangements

(1) INTERPOL, on the one hand, and Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and the EBCGA, on

the other, shall conclude arrangement(s) to implement the provisions of this

Agreement. Such arrangement(s):

(a) shall address the matters referred to in Article 25(2);

(b) may address the matters described in:

(i) Article 24(3);

(ii) Article 26(4);

(iii) Article 28(2); and

(iv) Article 37(3);

(c) may address other matters to facilitate cooperation under this Agreement.

(2) INTERPOL and the European Union shall conclude arrangement(s) to implement the

provisions of this Agreement. Such arrangement(s):

(a) shall address the matters described in Articles 34(7);

(b) may address other matters to facilitate cooperation under this Agreement.

Article 44

Application of prior agreements, arrangements and memoranda of understanding

(1) Upon entry into force of this Agreement, the Agreement between INTERPOL and

Europol of 5 November 2001, the Working Arrangement between the International

Criminal Police Organisation – INTERPOL and the European Agency for the

Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member

States of the European Union – Frontex of 27 May 2009, and the Memorandum of

Understanding on Cooperation between EUROJUST and the International Criminal

Police Organisation (ICPO-INTERPOL) of 15 July 2013, are replaced by this

Agreement.  

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph 1:

(a) the following agreements, arrangements and memoranda of understanding shall

remain in effect until terminated or replaced by arrangements referred to in

Article 43 of this Agreement: 

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(i) Frontex – INTERPOL Electronic Library Document System (FIELDS)

Technical Agreement of 18 November 2024;

(ii) Bilateral Agreement between the International Criminal Police

Organization – INTERPOL and the European Union Agency for Law

Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) on Granting Direct Access to

INTERPOL’s Illicit Arms Records and tracing Management System

(iARMS) of 12 April 2023;

(iii) Implementing Arrangement on direct access to and use of the

INTERPOL Information System between the International Criminal

Police Organisation (ICPO – INTERPOL) and the European Border and

Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) of 20 December 2016;

(iv) Bilateral Agreement between Europol and INTERPOL for the

Interconnection of Computer Networks of 26 September 2014;

(v) Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Secure

Communication Line between the European Police Office and the

International Criminal Police Organisation – INTERPOL of 11 October

2011;

(vi) Memorandum of Understanding as Mentioned in Article 4(1) of the

Agreement between INTERPOL and Europol of 1 September 2008;

(vii) Amendment to the Joint Initiative of the Secretary General of

INTERPOL and the Director of Europol on Combating the

Counterfeiting of Currency, in Particular the Euro dated 5th November

2001, of 27 August 2007;

(viii) Joint Initiative of the Secretary General of INTERPOL and the Executive

Director of Europol on Combating the Counterfeiting of Currency, in

Particular the Euro of 5 November 2001.

(b) Article 4 of the Agreement between INTERPOL and Europol of 5 November

2001 shall remain in effect in relation to the exchange of liaison officers until

the Memorandum of Understanding described in paragraph 2(a)(vi) is

terminated or replaced by an arrangement referred to in Article 43 of this

Agreement.

(3) For purposes of applying paragraph 2:

(a) references in the agreements, arrangements or memoranda of understanding

referred to therein to the Agreement between INTERPOL and Europol of 5

November 2001 and the Working Arrangement between the International

Criminal Police Organisation – INTERPOL and the European Agency for the

Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the

Member States of the European Union – Frontex of 27 May 2009 shall be

considered to refer to the present Agreement;

(b) the relevant terms of this Agreement shall apply to the agreements,

arrangements and memoranda of understanding and shall prevail over anything

to the contrary in them, except for their termination provisions.

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Article 45

Joint review

(1) The European Union and INTERPOL shall conduct periodic joint reviews of the

implementation of this Agreement.

(2) The first review shall be conducted no later than three years from the date of entry

into force of this Agreement and subsequent reviews shall be conducted on a regular

basis thereafter.

(3) The review in this Article shall not cover the implementation of Article 34, in which

a specific review mechanism is provided.

Article 46

Settlement of disputes

All disputes concerning the interpretation, application or implementation of this Agreement

shall give rise to consultations and negotiations between representatives of the European

Union and INTERPOL in an effort to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

Article 47

Liability

(1) The European Union and INTERPOL shall defend claims brought against them that

arise from this Agreement, in accordance with the terms set out in their respective

legal frameworks. They shall notify one another and, upon request, consult with each

other regarding such claims.

(2) A person or entity may bring a claim arising from this Agreement, in the manner in

which the European Union and INTERPOL have implemented their obligations

under this Agreement in their respective legal frameworks.

(3) Where damages have been awarded to a third party, the European Union and

INTERPOL may seek indemnification from each other where the other has failed to

fulfill its obligations under this Agreement. In the event of a dispute regarding

indemnification, Article 46 of this Agreement shall apply.

Article 48

Suspension

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(1) Subject to paragraph 2, in the event of a material breach of this Agreement, the

European Union or INTERPOL may suspend this Agreement, in whole or in part, by

written notification thereof to the other.

(2) Such written notification shall not be made until after the European Union and

INTERPOL have engaged in a reasonable period of consultations without reaching a

resolution. Suspension shall take effect twenty days from the date of receipt of such

notification. Such suspension may be lifted by the suspending Party upon written

notification to the other. The suspension shall be lifted upon receipt of such

notification.

(3) By way of derogation from paragraph 2, in case of urgency, the European Union or

INTERPOL may provisionally suspend this Agreement, in which case notification to

the other and consultations shall commence immediately thereafter.

(4) Notwithstanding any suspension of this Agreement, information obtained pursuant to

this Agreement prior to its suspension shall continue to be processed in accordance

with its terms.

(5) The suspension provided for in this Article shall not apply to Article 34, in which a

specific suspension mechanism is provided.

Article 49

Termination

(1) Either the European Union or INTERPOL may terminate this Agreement by giving

written notice to the other. The termination shall take effect three months after the

notice is delivered to the receiving Party.

(2) If notice of termination is given under this Article, the European Union and

INTERPOL shall consult with a view to deciding what measures shall be taken for

the purpose of terminating cooperation initiated under this Agreement in an

appropriate manner. In any event, information obtained pursuant to this Agreement

prior to its termination shall continue to be processed in accordance with its terms.

Article 50

Entry into force

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the last written notification

by which the European Union and INTERPOL notify each other of the completion of their

respective internal legal procedures for the conclusion of this Agreement.

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DONE at [Location], this [day] of [Month] [Year], in two originals, in the English language.

Pursuant to European Union law, this Agreement shall also be drawn up by the European

Union in the Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German,

Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian,

Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, and Swedish languages. This Agreement shall also be drawn up

by INTERPOL in the Arabic language. These additional language versions may be

authenticated by an exchange of diplomatic notes between the European Union and

INTERPOL. In the case of divergence between authentic language versions, the English text

shall prevail.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this

Agreement.

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JOINT DECLARATION BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND INTERPOL WITH

REGARD TO ARTICLE 26(3)(c) OF THE EU-INTERPOL COOPERATION

AGREEMENT

The European Union and INTERPOL agree to make their utmost efforts to launch and swiftly

progress negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement (SIA), concerning security

procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information.

JOINT DECLARATION WITH REGARD TO ICELAND, THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY,

THE SWISS CONFEDERATION AND THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN

The European Union and INTERPOL take note of the close relationship between the

European Union and Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the

Principality of Liechtenstein, particularly by virtue of the Agreements of 18 May 1999 and 26

October 2004 concerning the association of those countries with the implementation,

application and development of the Schengen acquis.

In such circumstances it is desirable that the authorities of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway,

the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein, on the one hand, and

INTERPOL, on the other hand, conclude expeditiously and without delay the bilateral

agreements referred to in Article 35(3)(a) of the Cooperation Agreement between the

European Union and the International Criminal Organization ‒ INTERPOL providing, for the

national authorities of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the

Principality of Liechtenstein respectively, to comply with the same obligations pertaining to

ETIAS as those of the national authorities of the EU Member States under the Cooperation

Agreement between the European Union and the International Criminal Police Organization -

INTERPOL.

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION WITH REGARD TO THE EU VISA

INFORMATION SYSTEM

Considering the operational needs of detecting whether applicants for a visa or residence

permit in a Schengen country use travel documents that have been reported as stolen, lost,

revoked, invalid or stolen blank or use travel documents associated with INTERPOL notices,

the European Union recalls the importance to continue exploring solutions for the EU Visa

Information System to query INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) and

Travel Documents Associated with Notices (TDAWN) to reinforce the overall security of the

Schengen area.