Nicosia: Europol's operational capabilities are as essential as scrutiny, House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou said on Wednesday. She was addressing the 18th Meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol (JPSG), which takes place in Nicosia, between February 4 and 5.
According to Cyprus News Agency, House President Annita Demetriou highlighted the importance of Europol's role and emphasized a collective stance against the challenges faced by EU member states. However, she also noted that parliamentary scrutiny should become stronger as security policies are reinforced. Demetriou questioned whether the current period is a transition or a period of deep rupture in the post-World War international system, noting that Cyprus advocates for a unified approach against threats. She underscored the importance of unity within the Union, suggesting that internal compromises are preferable to external concessions.
Demetriou expressed Cyprus' intention to join Schengen and thanked Europol for its assistance in combating illegal immigration, online child sexual exploitation, cybercrime, terrorism, and drug trafficking. She stressed the importance of parliamentary scrutiny of Europol to safeguard EU values and the rule of law, explaining that the JPSG's responsibility is to ensure the law's practical application, insisting on necessity and proportionality to protect fundamental rights.
In his opening address, Co-Chair and Chair of the Cyprus Delegation, MP Demetris Demetriou, acknowledged Europol's significant role in supporting member states, describing it as the EU's main information hub for tackling criminal activities and a pillar of European internal security. He discussed the ongoing revision of the Europol regulation, which aims to enhance its analytical and operational capabilities, thereby strengthening the Union's ability to respond effectively to modern threats.
Demetriou noted that over 70 members from 28 Parliaments and 23 member states are attending the meeting. He announced that for the first time, the Co-Chairs would issue a joint statement and invite members to sign it. Javier Zarzalejos, Co-Chair of the JPSG and Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, reiterated Europol's key role in addressing threats and mentioned that discussions would focus on the new regulation and other issues.
Catherine De Bolle, Europol Executive Director, presented Europol's activities since November 2025. She discussed the new regulation and emphasized Europol's strategy in delivering security and partnership. Key elements include a new external relations strategy and the first strategy on cooperation with private parties. De Bolle also highlighted developments in data protection and cooperation with South American countries, noting Ukraine as a key operational partner with a 50% increase in message exchanges between 2024 and 2025.
De Bolle reported positive results from a task force led by Sweden to tackle violence as a service, resulting in 193 arrests in six months. She highlighted Europol's efforts to combat criminal networks exploiting the digital environment and mentioned platforms supporting minors who are victims of sexual abuse and combating the radicalization of minors.
Ireneusz Sienko, Chair of the Europol Management Board, emphasized the importance of dialogue for democratic scrutiny and Europol's accountability. He discussed the development of a new European center against migrant smuggling and collaboration with FRONTEX. Sienko also praised the Executive Director's role during a critical time for Europol.