The provisional agreement is intended to better support Member States in combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking. To achieve this, it foresees reinforced obligations for Member States to share relevant information with Europol, especially during operational task forces or when the agency is deployed in a Member State’s territory. Immigration liaison officers stationed in third countries will also be expected to provide information to Europol, improving the EU-wide coordination of anti-smuggling efforts.

A European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling will be established as a permanent structure within Europol. The Centre is expected to offer strategic, operational, and technical support to Member States and assist in the identification of trafficking victims or other vulnerable individuals. Liaison officers from Frontex and Eurojust will be seconded to the Centre in line with their respective mandates. The agreement anticipates additional resources for Europol, including 50 new staff positions and €50 million to support the implementation of these tasks.

Although negotiators have agreed on these measures, the provisions remain provisional and will require formal confirmation by both the Council and the European Parliament.

For further details, please read the press release from the Council of the EU.