Ms Angela LUEGER,
Mr Claude MORAES,

Staten Generaal
Postbus 20018
2500 EA Den Haag
The Netherlands

Co-Chairs JPSG on Europol

The Hague, November 27th, 2018

Subject: Written questions to Europol proposed by NL delegation pursuant to paragraph 4.2
Rules of Procedure

Dear honourable Co-Chairs of the JPSG Europol,
The Dutch delegation would like to welcome and underline the important role of the Co-Chairs of
the joint parliamentary scrutiny group (JPSG) in politically monitoring Europol's activities in fulfilling its mission. By means of this letter the delegation aims to contribute to strengthening the
monitoring role of the JPSG.
During the joint parliamentary scrutiny group (JPSG) meeting on 24-25 September 2018 in
Brussels, members of the Dutch delegation to the JPSG posed a number of questions about the
draft multiannual programming document which are deemed to be insufficiently answered.
Pursuant to paragraph 4.2 of the rules of procedure of the JPSG, the members of the Dutch
delegation to the JPSG kindly request the Co-Chairs to check the admissibility of the following
written questions to Europol. In the opinion of the delegation these questions should be regarded as a request for "a further written reply" as referred to in paragraph 4.2 of the Rules of Procedure.
If deemed admissible and in line with the Europol regulation, the Dutch delegation kindly requests the Co-Chairs to forward the written questions to Europol. The delegation considers a
six-week timeframe appropriate for answering.
Written questions proposed to be submitted to Europol:
1. The draft multiannual programming document stresses the ambition to increase operational activities by Europol. For instance, its refers to "full scale delivery of operational
service and impact". The delegation would like to request information about what practical consequences national police authorities might expect in this regard?
2. Further information is also requested regarding Europol's ambition to enhance its multidisciplinary approach and the intention to increase Europol’s ability to cooperate with
the private sector. What activities does Europol envisage to deploy and what are the results aimed for? The Dutch delegation would appreciate detailed information about this
matter.
3. In the context of Rule of Law, questions can be raised about the extent to which it is desirable to negotiate and enter into third-country agreements, especially with countries
that have a questionable reputation in the area of the protection of human rights. Which
criteria does Europol use in identifying potential third countries? Which requirements
and conditions apply?
4. How does Europol ensure the requirements as regards privacy and data protection, especially with regard to Europol's ambition to further gather intelligence, for example by
further developing its travel intelligence capability?

5. From Annex I: "Resource allocation per Activity 2019-2021" it can be concluded that resources allocated to counter terrorism are nearly as high as those allocated to combating serious and organised crime. How does this allocation correspond to the attention
and resources that national authorities allocate to these matters?
6. Further explanation is requested for goal 2 of the draft multiannual programming: "Europol will provide the most effective operational support and expertise to MS investigations [...]". The Dutch delegation would like to enquire what kind of operational support
and expertise is meant in addition to providing information? What investigative authority
do employees of Europol have while participating in national investigations? What is
their mandate? How can the JPSG monitor these activities? Could Europol report on
these activities to the JPSG?
The Dutch delegation confidently awaits the admissibility check by the Co-Chairs of the JPSG
and is looking forward to the written answers by Europol. The delegation remains available for
any inquiries any party might have about the proposed questions.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Monica den Boer,
on behalf of the Dutch delegation to the JPSG:
Ms Madeleine VAN TOORENBURG
Ms Monica DEN BOER

Ms Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN
Ms Anneke WEZEL

JPSG-Members
Committee on Justice and Home Affairs
House of Representatives of the Netherlands
Parliament

JPSG-Members
Committee on Immigration and Asylum /
Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council
Senate of the Netherlands
Parliament