His Majesty the King of the Netherlands visited Europol today, where he gained insight into the Agency’s efforts to support EU Member States in tackling serious and organised crime, and terrorism.
Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle welcomed His Majesty to the organisation’s headquarters as Europol recently marked 25 years of fostering law enforcement cooperation across Europe and beyond.
Becoming fully operational in 1999, Europol is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, serving as a hub for European police collaboration.
During the visit, His Majesty toured Europol’s Operational and Analysis Centre, where he observed how live operational intelligence is processed to assist ongoing investigations.
With a workforce of over 1,700 people and a network of more than 300 liaison officers, Europol provides around-the-clock support to law enforcement authorities across Europe and partners worldwide.
His Majesty was also briefed on Europol’s efforts to combat priority crime areas, including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and the online sexual exploitation of children.
These transnational crimes pose significant threats to the safety and security of EU citizens, and Europol plays a vital role in coordinating efforts to dismantle the criminal networks behind them. In 2024 alone, Europol supported over 3,300 investigations across Europe and beyond.
As part of his tour, the King met with liaison officers from Norway and Ukraine based at Europol’s headquarters. They shared their experiences working with Europol as partner countries to enhance international cooperation in the fight against organised crime.
Europol’s headquarters in The Hague connects more than 3,000 law enforcement authorities from over 70 countries and international organisations, reinforcing its position as a central player in the international fight against serious organised crime.
