The entry of Bulgaria and Romania in Europol will be commemorated with an official ceremony at Europol headquarters in Hague on October 3 2007.

Interior Minister Roumen Petkov would lead the Bulgarian delegation, an Interior Ministry press release said.

National Service Police head Valentin Petrov and Chief Directorate for Combating Organised Crime head Kiril Georgiev would accompany Petkov at the ceremony.

Europol director Max-Peter Ratzel, Petkov and Romanian interior minister Cristian David would give welcoming speeches, the press release said.

On July 23 2007, the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council approved the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Convention on the establishment of a European Police Office (Europol). Bulgaria became a full member of Europol on August 1 2007.

Being a Europol member, Bulgaria will take part in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, human trafficking, money laundering, radioactive substances trafficking, among others, together with the other EU members.

For Europol, Bulgaria was a "necessary partner", Ratzel said.