Europol’s Counter-Terrorism Role: over 25 Years of Partnership

Aim: Provide an overview of the evolution of Europol’s counter-terrorism capabilities over the last 25 years. Focus on the establishment of the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC). Methodology: In this article on counter-terrorism, the methodology employed involves a qualitative approach, leveraging first-hand experiences and insights from Europol’s operational involvement and institutional development. Findings: Over the past two decades, significant terrorist attacks have profoundly influenced the European Union’s counter-terrorism policies and institutions. These events have accelerated the development of Europol’s dedicated counter-terrorism capabilities, transforming it from an agency with limited operational capacity into a key player in the EU’s counter-terrorism efforts. Europol’s role expanded significantly after 2015 leading to the establishment of the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC). The ECTC supports national counter-terrorism efforts through enhanced law enforcement cooperation and operational services, addressing emerging threats like jihadist use of the internet for recruitment and propaganda, through the European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU). Despite progress achieved, counter-terrorism remains primarily a national competence, with Europol playing a supportive role. The continuous evolution of Europol’s strategic and operational tools reflects the EU’s commitment to a collective approach, balancing national prerogatives with the need for coordinated, transnational efforts to combat terrorism effectively. Value: The value of this article lies in its practical insights offering an internal perspective from a seasoned security practitioner focusing on operational and institutional realities as opposed to theoretical frameworks.