The European Commission's proposal on Europol needs to be clearer so it does not step on the toes of national courts or the powers of EU member states. Parliament's internal security and public order committee backed that view today.

Committee members say the agency's wider powers must be weighed against member states' own authority, and the line between coordinating and investigating has to be clear.

Deputy interior minister Emil Ganchev set out Bulgaria's position to the committee. He said it would be unacceptable to let Europol order a criminal investigation to be opened, since that goes against the agency's supporting role. Bulgaria also has doubts about changes to Europol's management structure, which he said would create needless red tape.

Ganchev said the agency's main job is to help EU states fight organized crime. He added that most EU countries share Bulgaria's concerns.

Bulgaria backs turning Europol into a stronger hub for sharing and analyzing information, and wants closer cooperation between the agency and non-EU countries and private companies.

At the same meeting, the committee passed changes to the law on private security work at second reading.