Brussels, 27/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Council on Thursday approved without debate a decision on the common use of seconded Liaison Officers sent by the police authorities of the Member States to third countries and international organisations. Such officers are responsible for helping avert or investigate crimes, assessing the crime situation in the country in question and studying its legal system. The Member States must keep each other informed about the Liaison Officers they send, and the Council Secretariat General will draw up an annual summary. The different officers sent to any one country must meet regularly and as necessary in order to exchange useful information and are expected to help each other in their contacts with the authorities of the host country. Moreover, where necessary, Member States can agree to share out the work. The decision also foresees cooperation going further since Member States can agree for a Liaison Officer to monitor the interests of one of more Member States. Liaison Officers are called upon to share information at their disposal with one another about dangers to their country, or to inform the Member State in question directly if the country does not have a Liaison Officer stationed in the country in question. Liaison Officers must also cooperate with Europol. The decision will come into force forty days after its publication in the Official Journal. The decision was proposed by Denmark in July 2002.