Resolution on renewing the EU internal security strategy
The Council adopted a series of conclusions on the development of a renewed European Union Internal Security Strategy (ISS).
The Commission reported in 2011 and 2013 on the implementation of its Internal Security Strategy in Action for the period 2010-2014.
At its meeting on 26-27 June 2014, the European Council defined the strategic guidelines for legislative and operational planning for the coming years within the area of freedom, security and justice and called for a review and update of the Internal Security Strategy by mid 2015.
Following the request of the European Council, work started within the Council with a strong involvement of the Commission. The Committee for operational cooperation on internal security (COSI) reached agreement on the draft Council conclusions on the development of a renewed European Union Internal Security Strategy, subject to the lifting of Danish and United Kingdom scrutiny reservations.
On this basis, the draft Council conclusions on the development of a renewed European Union Internal Security Strategy may be summarised as follows:
Main common threats and challenges: according to the draft conclusions, the main threats and challenges for the future are as follows:
- serious and organised crime in all its forms and more specifically: facilitation of illegal immigration and different forms and consequences of trafficking in human beings, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) and Excise fraud, organised property crime, cybercrime, trafficking in firearms and corruption;
- terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment and financing related to terrorism;
- cybercrime and the need for cyber security, for citizens, businesses and public institutions;
- threats and challenges stemming from the use of new technologies;
- crises and natural and man-made disasters in relation to internal security.
A more comprehensive and coherent approach: the Strategy intends to adopt a comprehensive and coherent approach both horizontally (law enforcement, integrated border management, judicial authorities, customs, civil protection agencies, administrative and other relevant authorities, academia, non-governmental organisations, private sector) and vertically (international and EU level cooperation, regional, Member States' national, regional and local policies) through promoting a multidisciplinary approach, intelligence, exchange of information supervised by the European instruments, coordination of investigations and prosecutions in the Member States (including financial investigations aimed at the confiscation of criminal assets) and increased operational cooperation including the EU's external borders.
ISS and external security: the Strategy is a shared agenda for action, where closer links between internal and external security should be developed and cooperation with third countries and partners such as Interpol should be promoted. It also aims to enhance cooperation, including operational cooperation, on the EU policy cycle’s current and future priorities as well as cooperation on addressing radicalisation, and recruitment to terrorism and to address the issue of issue of foreign fighters and returnees.
Lastly, the Strategy is set against the broader context of safeguarding fundamental rights with the assistance of the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). Rights.
Implementation: the ISS should focus on the consistent, coherent and effective implementation, application and consolidation of existing tools, legislation and policy measures. In this context, the Commission is invited to submit to the European Parliament and the Council an annual report on action taken within the framework of the EU's Internal Security Strategy. This report should monitor and evaluate results and provide regular updates on measures taken to strengthen internal security within the Union. Based on these reports, the Council will consider the appropriate measures in order to achieve the goals of the EU's Internal Security Strategy.