Source: European Parliament
In accordance with Article 23(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794[1], Europol may conclude working arrangements enabling cooperation with third countries.
Europol negotiates working arrangements with priority partners, which are included in a list endorsed by the Agency’s Management Board.
The Dominican Republic does not feature on Europol’s list of priority partners, and, due to both policy considerations pertaining mainly to operational needs as expressed by Member States and resource constraints, in line with the Agency’s new External Relations Strategy 2025+[2], no addition to that list is envisaged for the time being.
In accordance with Article 25(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794, Europol may transfer personal data to a third country on the basis of an international agreement concluded between the EU and that third country pursuant to Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Further to a Commission Recommendation, the Council of the EU can authorise the Commission to negotiate with a third country, on behalf of the EU, an international agreement enabling the exchange of personal data with Europol.
At the moment, no Council authorisation for the opening of such negotiations with the Dominican Republic exists, nor is a relevant Commission Recommendation planned.
The Commission is in a constant dialogue with Europol, to closely coordinate on external relations, so that Europol’s cooperation with external partners, from the point of view of both working arrangements and international agreements, is complementary in achieving the EU objectives in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.
- [1] 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/JHA (OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53-114), hereinafter referred to as ‘Regulation (EU) 2016/794’.
- [2] Europol Programming Document 2025-2027, Annex XI: External Relations Strategy 2025+, adopted on 10 December 2024, available at https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/Europol_Programming_Document_2025-2027.pdf.