Brussels, 06/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Police Office, Europol, signed a co-operation agreement with the Czech Republic in Prague on 5 March, agreement that organises the exchange of strategic and operational information on crime and combating crime, and that provides for an exchange of liaison officers. The agreement guarantees "a very high level of data protection", Europol stresses in a press release. Europol has already signed such types of co-operation agreements with four candidate countries (Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Estonia), as well as with the United States, Iceland, Norway, Interpol and the European Central Bank. Negotiations are in progress with all countries candidates for membership of the European Union, ten or so other countries (the agreement with Switzerland is expected next month, European sources tell us), as well as with the World Customs Organisation (agreement expected in the coming weeks). The agreement signed with the United States excludes exchange of personal data, for which a second agreement is being negotiated. The condition for signing an agreement is that the third country concerned has accepted the European Union's high level of data protection, the Office explains. Once negotiations over, Europol waits for the go-ahead from the Council before signing the agreement. The justice and home affairs ministers of the Fifteen authorised, at last Thursday's JHA Council, the signing of the agreement between Europol and the Czech Republic.