Today, the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and the Hungarian government signed a new headquarters agreement.
This official document, which defines the legal status of the agency and its staff in Hungary, comes to replace a prior agreement reached in 2014. CEPOL has since undergone major changes, particularly regarding the digitalisation of its training offer and broadening the scope of its activities beyond the EU, which came with a significant increase in staff.
The new headquarters agreement lays down provisions for CEPOL’s new premises in Budapest, a building provided by the Hungarian government. The new office space will better respond to CEPOL’s needs, accommodating the current and planned increase in CEPOL’s training activities to support the implementation of the EU Security Union Strategy.
The agreement was signed by Montserrat Marín López, Executive Director of CEPOL, and Sándor Pintér, Minister of the Interior of Hungary. Recognising the importance of the relationship between CEPOL and the Hungarian government, CEPOL Executive Director, stated:
Today signifies a milestone for our agency, particularly in response to CEPOL’s strategic goal of becoming the EU hub for law enforcement training. It will make our operations more efficient, as our new headquarters will enhance our ability to deliver high quality law enforcement training programmes. Moving to the new premises is key for the future growth of our agency. On behalf of all of us at CEPOL, I would like to express my appreciation to the Hungarian authorities for their dedication and efforts towards the finalisation of this agreement.
Sándor Pintér, Minister of the Interior of Hungary emphasised:
Hungary is committed to the development of European law enforcement and will provide the necessary financial resources. The new headquarters will establish an even higher standard of training for law enforcement professionals than before. Hungary will proudly continue to host the Agency so that it remains a strong and stable law enforcement training hub, responsive to the challenges of our times.
In cooperation with the Hungarian authorities, CEPOL will be adapting the new premises to its future requirements. Once the renovation works are completed, the Agency will host 133 workstations for the staff along with multifunctional areas for training participants, including 6 training rooms, 2 practice labs, 4 webinar rooms and 8 breakout rooms.
The new agreement, which is valid for 10 years and extendable thereafter, updates certain provisions without changing the scope of the privileges and immunities granted to the CEPOL staff.
The headquarters agreement, approved by the CEPOL Management Board last week, will now be submitted for ratification by the Hungarian parliament.
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L-r: Montserrat Marín López, Executive Director of CEPOL, and Sándor Pintér, Minister of the Interior of Hungary
