Dear friends,
I could not physically be with you today for this milestone one-hundredth meeting of the Europol Management Board, but I wanted to briefly share with you some thoughts through this video message.
I don’t need to remind you that we live in challenging times for security.
The threats to the security of our citizens are constantly changing, evolving, multiplying.
They are becoming more varied and more transnational.
Terrorism has scarred the history of Europe in 2015 and 2016.
It has shown the increased need to work together, better collect and share information and trust each other more.
And not only for terrorism.
Organised crime; the drugs trade; cyber-criminality: they all affect the lives of our citizens and destabilise our societies – and require a joint approach.
Europol’s role in this security environment could not be more central.
Over the years, it has earned the trust and recognition of EU institutions, Member States and the European citizens themselves.
It has become an established partner with unique capabilities in coordination and analytics.
Europol has become the very nerve centre of our common work on security in Europe.
And from our side, I can commit to you today that I will do what is needed to make sure Europol becomes stronger, more able and better placed than ever to fulfil this mission.
The Management Board has ensured the stability and strategic direction of Europol.
I am grateful to you for your commitment to the mission of the Agency.
I also want to express my warm thanks to Director Rob Wainwright and all the staff of Europol.
You have delivered exceptional work, during one of the most challenging periods for EU security.
Let us continue working together – Management Board, Management, staff, EU institutions and national authorities, to deliver better outcomes for the security of citizens in Europe.