Brussels, 24/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 24 February, the EU27 adopted their conclusions on the new EU internal security strategy, presented by the Commission on 22 November 2010. The new conclusions indicate the following strategy objectives: - root out criminal networks; - prevent terrorism and tackle both radicalisation and terrorist recruitment; - increase the level of security for citizens and companies in cyberspace; - enhance border security; - and reinforce Europe's ability to tackle crises and disasters. These objectives are all “essential for creating more freedom, security and justice in the EU”.
The Council firstly points out that the common action carried out by the EU should be implemented without incurring additional and unnecessary financial and administrative costs to the Union, national or regional authorities, economic operators or citizens and “should be carried out on the basis of a preliminary assessment of the expected financial and administrative impact and only if this said assessment has demonstrated the added value of the action in question at Union level”.
In their conclusions, the EU27 have called on the Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security (COSI) to prioritise coordination, support and follow-up of the development and implementation of the internal security strategy. To this end, “COSI must monitor coherence of the implementation of operational action required to enhance internal security within the Union, including effective cooperation with the appropriate national authorities and agencies, and providing regular updates on the action carried out”. The EU27 have also requested that the Commission present the European Parliament and Council with its first annual report on the action carried out within the internal security strategy, before the end of 2011. (S.P./transl.fl)