Setback for Europol: European Parliament Rejects Council’s Bid for Entering Into External Agreements

On October 23, 2013, the European Parliament (EP) adopted its resolution calling on the Council of the European Union (the Council) not to authorize the opening of negotiations on new cooperation agreements between Europol and Brazil, Georgia, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[2] The resolution was adopted by overwhelming majority: 679 MEPs voted in favor of the resolution, making up 98% of those present. The resolution and debate were based on a report presented by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (the Committee).[3]