Europol and Egypt’s Ministry of Interior have signed a new Working Arrangement aimed at intensifying cooperation in the fight against serious and organized crime, marking a major step in joint efforts to curb human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, and child exploitation. Signed on April 9, the agreement establishes a formal framework for structured intelligence-sharing, allowing for the exchange of non-personal data between Egypt and EU member states. The deal enables Egypt to deploy a liaison officer to Europol’s headquarters in The Hague, joining an international network of more than 300 officers from over 50 countries.
While the arrangement does not yet allow for the transfer of personal data, it sets the stage for deeper collaboration on terrorism, transnational crime, and future operational cooperation. It also includes robust safeguards to ensure compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Europol’s legal standards. Describing the agreement as a “significant milestone,” Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle praised Egypt’s growing partnership and commitment to joint security objectives. EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner also welcomed the move, emphasizing that enhanced cooperation with Egypt would help dismantle cross-border criminal networks threatening European internal security.
Egypt has been a strategic partner in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood Policy since 2017, when talks began on formalizing law enforcement collaboration with Europol. The newly signed arrangement is the product of years of operational trust-building, during which Egypt and Europol have engaged in ad hoc joint efforts to disrupt criminal networks. Europol continues to serve as the EU’s primary agency for combating international crime and terrorism, supporting investigations across member states and collaborating with key partners outside Europe, including Egypt.
