EU security

My articles have tended generally to focus on economic matters. However, it goes without saying that most economic activity would hardly be feasible unless certain essential, underlying conditions are satisfied - among which security is one of the most important factors.

Without adequate security, economic endeavour would pretty much become pointless. This consideration is driven home each and every time that the world is forced to witness another act of terrorism when all discussion on growth rates, job opportunities, exchange fluctuations, etc., invariably fades into the background in the face of the evident need to focus additional effort on enhancing security.

This was again the case after the London terrorist attacks. The issue of security had already been on the agenda but the recent events in London have made it all that more topical and pressing.

As I already had the opportunity to mention in my last article, the priorities announced by the UK Government, at the start of its six-month EU Presidency, include security and stability as being among the most important objectives, with a focus on combating terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration.

In fact, in his speech before the European Parliament last month, Tony Blair had specifically spoken about these concerns. "A relevant Justice and Home Affairs Agenda must focus on these issues (security, crime and emigration): implementing the EU action plan on counter-terrorism which has the potential to improve law enforcement as well as addressing the radicalisation and recruitment of terrorists; cross-border intelligence and policing in the fight against organised crime; developing proposals to hit drug traffickers hard, in opening up their bank accounts, harassing their activities, arresting their leading members and bringing them to justice; getting repatriation agreements for failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries and others; developing biometric technology to make Europe's borders secure."

The points mentioned by the British prime minister, last May, were the subject of an official communication of the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament under the title: 'The Hague Programme - The Partnership for European renewal in the field of Freedom, Security and Justice'.

The Hague Programme is the second EU multi-annual programme for strengthening the area of freedom, security and justice after the Tampere Programme, which ran from 1999 to 2004. The Commission's latest communication identifies ten specific priorities on which efforts should be concentrated in the next five years and presents a detailed action plan on how these strategic objectives are to be addressed. These priorities are the following:

i) Ensure the appropriate development of policies monitoring and promoting respect for fundamental rights for all people and of policies that enhance EU citizenship;

ii) Focus on various aspects of prevention, preparedness and response to complement and enhance the capacity and capability of member states to combat terrorism;

iii) Work towards a harmonised procedure for the establishment of a common asylum area, taking into due account humanitarian values and respect for international obligations;

iv) Define a balanced approach to migration management by developing a common immigration policy, which addresses legal migration at the EU level, while intensifying the fight against illegal migration and the trafficking in human beings;

v) Develop measures in support of Member States to deliver better policies on the integration of immigrants;

vi) Further develop an integrated management of external borders and a common visa policy;

vii) Strike the right balance between privacy and security in the sharing of information among law enforcement and judicial authorities;

viii) Develop and implement a strategic concept on tackling organised crime at EU level making full use and developing further Europol and Eurojust;

ix) Guarantee a European area of justice by ensuring an effective access to justice for all and the adequate enforcement of judgments; and

x) Give practical meaning to notions of shared responsibility and solidarity between member states by providing adequate financial resources that can meet the objectives of freedom, security and justice in the most efficient manner.

All of these objectives are amplified further. On the question of terrorism, the Commission reiterates the undisputable fact that a global response is required. It is not enough for countries to act individually but their efforts need to be co-ordinated and made to strengthen one another.

The fight against terrorism calls for an integrated and coherent approach. In particular, it is essential that co-operation between the different competent authorities within the member states is strengthened, particularly in the exchange of information for use in the investigation of terrorist activity.

The efforts of member states and the EU must be complemented by external co-operation with other countries - notably assisting them in funding capacity-building for counter terrorism, as well as tackling terrorism at its roots.

Specific actions and targets are also indicated and they include some very practical, down-to-earth provisions, such as the designation of a specialised contact point in each member state to reinforce co-operation between law enforcement authorities and eventually the creation of a European Law Enforcement Network (LEN) specifically for better co-ordination in the fight against terrorism.

Other initiatives that are planned include an EU-wide effort for better control of potential bomb-making equipment and greater security in all matters concerning explosives.

Also mentioned is a common approach to prevent the misuse of charitable organisations for the financing of terrorism and the definition of suitable legal instruments that would ensure that all member states can freeze assets of designated persons on a preventive basis, if suspicions exist that such assets could be used to fund terrorism.

Another focus for co-operation is within the field of civil protection and the protection of critical infrastructure. Earlier this year, more specifically last March, the European Council had appointed the first EU Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator, namely Gijs de Vries, who reports to Xavier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the EU.

His main tasks are to co-ordinate the work of the Council in combating terrorism, to maintain an overview of all the instruments at the Union's disposal, to closely monitor the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Combating Terrorism, and to secure the visibility of the Union's policies in the fight against terrorism.

In his first press conference, straight after his appointment, Mr de Vries had highlighted his co-ordinating role: "My role will be to assist member states in doing the things that they have said that they would do. It is a significant challenge, notably in terms of the legislation, which must be put in place, but which must also be implemented swiftly and properly.

"What we can do and what our citizens must expect from us, is that as governments and as institutions of the EU we do everything in our power to strengthen our collaboration to make sure that all necessary measures are in place in time."

The appointment of an EU Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator and the launching of the Hague Programme and related action-plan reaffirms the importance that the EU attaches to the area of freedom, security and justice, giving it the highest priority on its agenda - not only because it figures among the fundamental objectives of the EU but also, and in particular, because it lies at the heart of the interests of its citizens.