Security: European network for the protection of public figures. Initiative Spain

The committee adopted the report by The Earl of STOCKTON (EPP-ED, UK) approving the Spanish initiative under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of amendments. Stressing that close cooperation between relevant national authorities already exists and generally works well, the committee was opposed to an approximation of existing rules and regulations in the Member States. It pointed out that the Member States and local services were in the best position to determine risks and should have sufficient flexibility for deciding on the appropriate arrangements for the protection of public figures. The committee therefore proposed deleting a number of tasks which had been proposed for the Network, and which it felt would undermine this flexibility, such as: determining the maximum number of persons and resources accorded to the public figure involved; outlining the conditions for providing protection when a public figure of one Member State goes to another Member State; adopting joint protocols on the priority granted to the protected public figure; and establishing common rules for accreditation and media access to the public figure involved. Finally, it said that the network of contact points should be designated not only from national police departments but also from intelligence and security services.�