Brussels, 10/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 10 April, the European Commission gave details in a report on the initiatives taken under the internal security strategy adopted end 2010. In this second annual report, the Commission highlights measures tabled by ministers and deputies throughout 2012 and places emphasis on organised crime which, as Cecilia Malmström states in a press release, is “one of the major threats to our internal security”.
The 2012 report covers terrorism and radicalisation (the EU has adopted rules on explosive precursors), cybercrime with the creation of the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) at Europol, border management with recent proposals concerning an entry/exit system (EES) and a registered traveller programme (RTP), as well as crisis and disaster management.
In 2013, the Commission is, among other things, to propose reform of Eurojust, its report states. It will publish its first EU anti-corruption report, including recommendations for member states, tackle money laundering and focus on the rise in extremism.
Since 2007, the Commission has funded the security research programme of the seventh framework programme (FP7) up to €1.4 billion. The press release goes on to read: “More than 250 projects have been funded in areas such as the protection of citizens against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) materials, or man-made and natural events, critical infrastructure protection, crisis management capabilities, intelligent maritime and land border surveillance, etc.”.
Some projects have been challenged, however, such as the recent Schengen Information System II (SIS II), which has been criticised for its seven-year delay and budgetary slippage - the project having cost nearly €160 million compared to the €23 million initially foreseen. Other initiatives are criticised on substance and for the signal that they send out. The Greens/EFA Group recently slammed the Commission's “smart borders package” which, it believes, will create real “Big Brother” technology at the borders of the EU and stigmatise the most vulnerable travellers. (SP/transl.jl)