Police cooperation: cross-border assistance with regard to meetings attended by large numbers of people from more than one Member State. Initiative Netherlands

The Dutch delegation has proposed to the delegations of the EU an explanatory memorandum which presents the aims and objectives of this draft decision.

The Decision is based on Articles 29 and 30 of the Treaty on European Union. Given the importance of the subject, it has been chosen to deal with it in a Decision as referred to in Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union. Moreover, a variety of initiatives at European level have been prompted in the last few years, such as the Security Handbook of 28 November 2002 for the use of police authorities and services at international events such as the meetings of the European Council; Council Resolution of 22 July 2003 on security at meetings of the European Council and other comparable events; Council Conclusions of 13 July 2001 on security at meetings of the European Council and other comparable events; Joint Action 97/339/JHA, adopted by the Council on 26 May 1997 on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, with regard to cooperation on law and order and security and a Council Resolution of 29 April 2004.

It should be noted that the resources which police officers can deploy to give international assistance are, by definition, scarce.  In order to ensure that the supply of scarce resources is adequately tailored to the increasing demand for international assistance, it is important to gain an early understanding of the nature of forthcoming international events and in particular those where international assistance will be requested.

With a view to making international assistance effective, it is important to resolve the main difficulties which arise at such events.  But first of all it is necessary to be aware of them.  Then it is important to take a structured look at ways of resolving them.  Recommendations prompted by police practice are a good starting point.

Nor should any bilateral agreements already concluded in the meantime be overlooked.  In this connection it is important to see whether it is possible to derive from such agreements any measures of use for cooperation at European level.