Abstract: The rules adopted at EU level for the achievement of an area of freedom, security and justice, are aiming not only at the harmonization of the regulations of the criminal law but also on the creation of a centralized institutional framework. Agencies and offices of the European Union which have competence in preventing and combating crime are ensuring effective application of the European criminal law norms. Romanian State applies the rules establishing these national entities and establishes forms of cooperation and liaison with those at European level.

Keywords: space of freedom, security and justice, the European Union, cross-border crime, organized crime.