A logical collection of information that is interrelated and that is managed and stored as a unit, for example in the same computer file.
To effectively prevent and combat cross-border serious crimes and terrorism, practical cooperation between the police and customs authorities of EU Member States is required. Member States have since long cooperated on an ad-hoc basis, bilaterally or multilaterally. The EU seeks to add value by facilitating cooperation between Member States on internal security issues, with the aim to achieve a quicker, safer, and more targeted cooperation.
The Commission and the specialised EU law enforcement agencies, such as Europol, do not have autonomous investigative capabilities and are not in charge of operational law enforcement activities. This remains the responsibility of EU Member States.
However, the Commission and these agencies contribute to the enhancement of law enforcement cooperation within the EU: