Deputy Prime Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva bestowed the Golden Laurel Branch on Europol’s Executive Director
18 March 2018 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva conferred the Golden Laurel Branch today on Rob Wainwright, Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol).
The highest distinction of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was given to Wainwright for his support to the Bulgarian law enforcement authorities and for raising Bulgaria’s credibility as an important factor in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.
"This is not the first distinction you have received from the Bulgarian government. Your stature and the help you have extended to our law enforcement institutions are remarkable. Thank you for your support; I am convinced that our cooperation will continue going forward," Minister Zaharieva told Rob Wainwright.
The ceremony was also attended by the Chairman of the 44th National Assembly’s Committee on Homeland Security and Public Order, Tsvetan Tsvetanov. He thanked Europol’s CEO for the excellent cooperation and added that under Wainwright’s guidance the Agency has opened to all member states and third countries in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.
"There are quite a few key operations that we have organised with Europol: the clampdown on the Dolno Sakhrane printing house for fake euro notes, which were being distributed in 24 countries; the Phoenix operation with 1.2 tons of drugs detained; the joint operation with Italy against credit card theft, etc. Mr. Wainwright also personally took part in the work after the Burgas terrorist attack," Tsvetan Tsvetanov pointed out.
For his part, Rob Wainwright thanked for the honor he was granted and said it really meant a lot to him. "It has been a privilege for me to lead Europol in the last 9 years. Bulgaria has played an important role not only in supporting the Agency but all the other EU institutions as well in combating the dangers of today's world.
Mr. Tsvetanov mentioned a few operations – yet there were a lot more, and this is due to the professionalism of the Bulgarian law enforcement authorities. Europol will always provide support to Bulgaria. On behalf of my office and its staff, I accept this honour and prize today", said Rob Wainwright while receiving the highest Interior Ministry award.
Rob Wainwright became Europol director in 2009 and was reappointed to a second term in 2012. Wainwright is the recipient of another Interior Ministry award, For Gallantry and Merit, 1st degree.
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