12/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - A conference on the future of Europol will be held on 16-17 April in Trier, Germany, under the aegis of the Academy of European Law (ERA). The event will cover the reforms envisaged for Europol concerning cooperation with EU member states, Community institutions and third countries. The main aim of the conference, in the short term, will be to define the new face of Europol after entry into force of the three protocols amending the Europol Convention and extending its mandate, and, in the longer term, given the announced change in the organisation's legal base. Participants at the conference include: Europol Director Max-Peter Ratzel, members of Europol personnel, Victoria Amici of DG Justice, Freedom and Security, and Niels Bracke for the EU Council Secretariat General. For further information: http: //http://www.era.int (bc)