Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov during a working visit to the Netherlands has signed an agreement on strategic and operational cooperation with Europol.

"The conclusion of the agreement will enable the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies to participate in joint police actions together with their European counterparts, exchange and analyze operational data, obtain information on the whereabouts of wanted criminals. In addition, it provides for establishing international joint investigation teams," Ukrainian Interior Ministry's Liaison Department published on Wednesday evening.

"The Ukrainian side is ready to provide access to its databases that will be of interest to Europol. This, above all, will allow for developing large-scale joint operations to combat organized crime," the statement says.

According to the report, the National Police was determined as the national contact point for cooperation between Europol and the Ukrainian side. The necessary equipment and software will soon be installed for the rapid exchange of information, which will be provided by European partners. At the same time, this high-tech communication line will be highly protected. In order to do this, Western partners have already invited a group of Ukrainian experts, who will establish the technical side.

"We can start to structure our work now, especially in the direction of cybercrime and terrorism. Your experience is both important and unique,” Interior Ministry's Liaison Department quoted head of Europol Rob Wainwright.

Wainwright also thanked Avakov for the success of the Avalanche joint operation, in which a key role was assigned to Ukrainian law enforcement officers.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said that Europol has a number of differences from the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) - Interpol, which is an international organization with global databases and support of primarily joint police operations.

"On the other hand, the Europol is a law enforcement agency, which provides analytical, technical and financial support to partners in preventing and combating serious international crimes and terrorism," the Ukrainian Ministry said.

At present, Europol has signed cooperation agreements with the law enforcement authorities in Australia, Canada, the U.S., Iceland, Norway, Monaco, Switzerland, Albania, Macedonia, Moldova, and two international organizations: Eurojust and Interpol.