Recital (25)

The reinforcement of Europol’s legal framework provides an opportunity to clarify that Europol’s objectives should also expressly cover violations of Union restrictive measures in accordance with Directive (EU) 2024/1226 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Union restrictive measures are an essential tool for safeguarding the Union’s values, security, independence and integrity, consolidating and supporting democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law and maintaining international peace, preventing conflicts and strengthening international security in line with the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter. Where such a violation of Union restrictive measures also constitutes another form of crime listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/794, Europol has supported Member States’ investigations in targeting criminal assets owned by individuals and legal entities subject to Union sanctions or criminal investigations linked to the circumvention of trade and economic sanctions imposed by the Union. Since violations of Union restrictive measures constitute a form of crime which affects a common interest covered by Union policy and constitute a form of crime with which Member States are increasingly confronted, Europol should be competent to act in order to support and strengthen the Member States’ action in this regard. That competence supports Member States in their mutual cooperation and in their cooperation with Europol, Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, within their respective competences and in accordance with the applicable legal framework, to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of violations of Union restrictive measures.