Appointment of Europol chief ends wrangle

Agreement was reached at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels on 24 February 2005 on the appointment of Max-Peter Ratzel as Director of Europol for a four-year term. The appointment brings to an end a year-long wrangle that was undermining the credibility of the European police agency. Mr Ratzel's previous post was with the German federal police's organised crime unit.

Council of the European Union: General Secretariat: Press Release: PRES/05/28: Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels, 24 February 2005 http://consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/fr/jha/83873.pdf

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