Luxembourg, France Discuss Cross-Border Crime Cooperation

On Thursday 20 February 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister of Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, met with the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, at Place Beauvau in Paris.

A statement issued by Luxembourg’s Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the ministers discussed the problem of cross-border crime and in particular that of drug trafficking. The ministers stressed the need to strengthen cooperation and information sharing in this area.

Moreover, the ministers are reported to have affirmed their willingness to negotiate a new bilateral police cooperation agreement with the aim of modernising the existing agreement, which dates back to 2001, and adapting the legal framework to operational needs and the reality on the ground.

The statement added that Minister Gloden noted that the Luxembourg government disapproves of the internal border controls of the Schengen area, as implemented by Germany, and supports a strengthening of external border controls. More than 120,000 cross-border workers travel from France to the Grand Duchy every day.

Ministers Gloden and Retailleau are also reported to have agreed to work on the implementation of the procedure, introduced by Article 23a of the Schengen Borders Code, which provides for a simplified transfer between Member States of persons apprehended in the context of intra-Schengen police cooperation.

Minister Gloden also informed his counterpart of his intention to shortly submit a draft law on automatic number plate recognition system to the Luxembourg Government Council (cabinet).

Both ministers also stressed the importance of an effective return system, with particular emphasis on the reform of the legislative framework for returns.

HOM