Europol, officially known as the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, is the EU’s central body for police cooperation, based in The Hague, Netherlands. Established in 1999, it supports EU Member States in preventing and combating serious international crime and terrorism. Europol does not have powers to arrest or conduct investigations independently but acts as a hub for criminal intelligence, providing analysis, secure information exchange, coordination, and expertise to national law enforcement authorities. It works on issues such as organized crime, drug and human trafficking, migrant smuggling, terrorism, cybercrime, and money laundering. Beyond Europe, Europol also partners with non-EU countries and international organizations to strengthen global responses to cross-border crime, including cooperation with MENA countries. Importantly, Europol does not provide grants or funding; its role is strictly operational and intelligence-based, funded directly through the EU budget.