Fight against terrorism: financing of Europol's activities, control center and communications

PURPOSE : to present a proposal for a Council Decision on the financing of certain activities carried out by Europol in connection with cooperation in the fight against terrorism. CONTENT : article B5-822 of the European Union budget for 2002 carries EUR 5 million to provide Europol with the necessary resources to step up and coordinate action by Member States to combat terrorism and to set up an anti-terrorism control centre and communications systems. This appropriation is entered in Chapter B0-40 (provisions) until there is a basic instrument to cover the financing of Europol's activities from the European Union budget. The purpose of this Decision will be to make it possible to use this appropriation. Commission staff have produced a draft Council Decision to create the legal basis to enable the funds to be used and to describe the activities they will finance. The activities indicated in the text have been established on the basis of proposals made by Europol. According to the budgetary details supplied by Europol, expected expenditure on launching these activities will be EUR 3 038 600, significantly less than the amount in the reserve. The actions envisaged and arrangements for budget intervention are as follows: 1) Development of a secure communications network to exchange information and confidential data on anti-terrorist activities. This network will provide the technical support for projects 2 and 3. The creation of a computerised network for storing and exchanging information on the characteristics of explosive devices used to carry out terrorist acts. EUR 1 700 000. 2) Creation of a communications system to enable special police operations units to exchange information swiftly. EUR 500 000. 3) Creation of an operations coordination centre within Europol to support Member States in conducting anti-terrorist operations or dealing with terrorist situations. Member States will be able to use the centre as a communications, control, command or information centre as necessary. EUR 500 000. 4) Development of a European method for analysing terrorist threats and risks. EUR 336 800.�