In Belgium, the Federal Prosecutor's Office is in charge of facilitating international police and judicial cooperation. Nevertheless, the Belgian police also have an own efficient liaison officers (LO) network abroad. These liaison officers support Belgian investigators within the framework of international rogatory letters and are involved in all forms of international cooperation. The foreign liaison offi cers holding a post in Belgium provide similar support. International cooperation is close in border regions as well, especially in police and customs cooperation centres (PCCC).

Bilateral police agreements are concluded with neighbouring countries, other countries of the European Union and third countries. These agreements are translated into action plans implemented by the directorates of the Federal Judicial Police. The treaty related to crime involving vehicles concluded with Poland is a good example. This treaty makes possible better control of Belgian vehicles at the Polish borders. In this way, many vehicles stolen in Belgium can be found.

Some cooperation agreements with European and non European police services are multilateral. This is the case of the Benelux cooperation. Multilateral initiatives are in compliance with the Schengen regulations, which constitute a framework for the exchange of information and the launching of cross border investigations. The Schengen Information System (SIS) enables the police services of the signatory countries to search for persons and to make descriptions of items. The European Treaty of Prüm, which has been recently signed, makes possible mutual, simple and automated exchange of DNA, fingerprint and number plate data stored in national databases.

At European Union level, several agencies and institutions like the Task Force of Chiefs of Police (TFCP), the European Police College (CEPOL), the Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the EU (Frontex), Europol, Eurojust and the European Anti-Fraud Offi ce (OLAF) provide solid support for the Federal Judicial Police.

At world level, Interpol is the organisation which makes possible international descriptions of persons with a view to their arrest, extradition or other measures. Interpol also manages several databases for the Member states. These data concern for instance wanted persons, forged documents, fi ngerprints, stolen vehicles, etc. It facilitates the work of the Federal Judicial Police, at both central and decentralised directorate level. As far as Belgium is concerned, the contacts with this organisation are made through the National Contact Point, which is managed by the Federal Police.

Finally, the implication of the United Nations in the international struggle against crime is increasing. Initiatives such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) are definitely an asset for the central directorates.