Seven more EU Member States join Europol

Seven of the ten countries which joined the European Union (EU) in May became new members of the European Police Office (Europol) on Wednesday, according to a press release issued by Europol. The new members are Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Lithuania. The last three member states of the EU - Malta, Poland and Estonia - are also expected to join Europol before 2005.

www.chinaview.cn further reported that Europol acting director Mariano Simancas was quoted as saying that "The increased membership and geographical area of the EU will provide significant opportunities for Europol to enhance its service to law enforcement in the common effort to combat international organized crime."