European Union's internal security strategy

The Commission presents the final implementation report of the EU Internal Security Strategy 2010-2014.

BACKGROUND: the report recalls that the 2010 Internal Security Strategy (ISS) was defined to enable the European Union to respond to existing and emerging threats to the security of European society, its citizens and organisations in the EU.

The Strategy aims at identifying the challenges to the EU internal security in the context that many of today's security challenges are cross-border and cross-sectoral in nature and that no single Member State is able to respond effectively to these threats on its own. The Strategy also identifies common principles and guidelines – fully respecting fundamental rights – underpinning a European Security Model, and aimed at further developing common tools and policies by using a more integrated approach.

The Commission Communication on "EU Internal Security Strategy in Action" identifies five main strategic objectives to be pursued by the EU and its Member States to be more effective in preventing and fighting serious and organised crime, terrorism and cybercrime, in strengthening the management of our external borders and in building resilience to natural and man-made disasters:

1. disruption of international criminal networks,
2. prevention of terrorism and addressing radicalisation and recruitment,
3. raising levels of security for citizens and businesses in cyberspace,
4. strengthening security through border management,
5. increasing Europe's resilience to crises and disasters.

The Commission reported in 2011 and 2013 on the implementation of the ISS and adapted the actions and recommendations to new developments.

In its latest Communication, the Commission concludes that "the next and last report on implementation of the ISS will be presented in mid-2014. The report will assess whether the objectives of the ISS have been met and also consider future challenges within the field of internal security".

This is the aim of this report.

CONTENT: this third and final Report on the ISS 2010-2014 has a two-fold aim: (i) it assesses the actions implemented under the five ISS strategic objectives since 2010; (ii) it identifies possible future challenges, cross-cutting objectives and emerging threats in view of a renewed Internal Security Strategy. In preparing this Report, the Commission has taken account of the resolution by the European

Parliament on the second ISS report.

Main achievements from 2010-2014: since 2010, significant progress has been made under these objectives, as shown by the Commission's two ISS reports and this Report. The ISS 2010-2014 has been the backbone of EU internal security initiatives in the last years. It has contributed to further enhancing the capabilities of the EU, its Member States, and other stakeholders and to reinforcing operational cooperation among Member States. It also contributed to a more cross-sectorial approach at all levels.

Several challenges had to be faced in the implementation of the Strategy. The financial crisis, and the resulting budgetary constraints, in Europe somewhat hampered the availability of resources. New technologies provided new opportunities for security stakeholders but at the same time created new threats including the fast growing threat of cybercrime and the need to formulate a comprehensive approach to counter it. Allegations of large-scale intelligence collection programmes, although not directly related to law enforcement cooperation, sparked in an intense debate on the conditions under which security should be achieved. This led to a reinforced resolve to safeguarding mutual trust, defining more inclusive security policies and the need to strengthen the integration of fundamental rights into internal security policies.

Finally, on the external dimension of security, the EU was confronted with the effects of regional conflicts and major political changes such as the Arab Spring, conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa and the conflict in Syria; these have had an impact on the EU's internal security.

Those challenges confirmed the need for the ISS, which has been effectively implemented, both through general initiatives and through initiatives relating to each of its five specific objectives.

- Legislation and cooperation mechanisms now provide common tools to better protect European societies and economies from serious and organised crime.

- Increased law enforcement and judicial cooperation has proved essential for responding to common threats such as trafficking in human beings, terrorism, cybercrime and corruption.

- Considerable efforts were undertaken to enhance application of the multidisciplinary and integrated approach – one of the key objectives of the ISS – in view of addressing increasingly complex security challenges.

It should be noted that the Standing Committee on Internal Security (COSI), created by the Lisbon Treaty, became operational in 2010. COSI is progressively becoming the centre of gravity of the integrated, multiagency operational approach on EU internal security.

Challenges to be tackled: implementation of legislation and consolidation of these achievements, as well as enhanced practical cooperation will be priorities for future work. Monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of legislation and policies will allow EU actions to be adjusted. Prevention, detection and investigation require increased and effective information sharing between Member States' law enforcement authorities and judicial authorities, with relevant EU agencies and among EU agencies themselves using existing EU instruments to the full.

The citizen-centred approach should remain a guiding principle for EU internal security and for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Thematic challenges include:

• tackling organised crime and cybercrime;
• combating terrorism, radicalisation and crisis management;
• strengthening border security.

Cross-cutting objectives aim to:

• strengthen the link between EU internal and external security;
• strengthen the respect of fundamental rights as part of a citizen-centred approach;
• strengthen the role of research, funding and training.

Main conclusions: the report concludes that the five strategic objectives chosen in the ISS 2010-14 remain valid and should therefore be confirmed for the renewed ISS.

Building upon the positive assessment on the implementation of the first ISS, the EU should develop an updated version of the ISS in full cooperation between the Commission, Member States and the European Parliament. Focus should be on reviewing the actions under each objective for 2015-2020 and identifying new actions to address the emerging threats and evolving challenges.

The renewed ISS should reinforce the integration of fundamental rights within internal security and make the link between internal and external security even more operational.

It should also consolidate and encourage more synergies between Home Affairs and other policy areas related to internal security. To this end, a stronger action will be needed to consolidate interactions between policies and actions, involving the different actors, such as public authorities, citizens, civil society and the private sector.

To support such a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, an EU Internal Security Consultative Forum animated by the Commission together with Member States, European Parliament, EU agencies, representatives of civil society, academia and of the private sector could be considered.

Lastly, the report notes that the Commission will prepare this Communication after consulting relevant stakeholders, including through a High-Level Conference that will take place in autumn 2014, with the participation of Member States and of the European Parliament, as well as representatives of civil society, academia and the private sector.