Tangible progress has been made but adjusting existing tools to the evolving terrorist threat remains a major challenge for the EU. That is the conclusion of the European Commission’s 9th Security Union progress report, presented on Wednesday 26 July.
This first in-depth re-evaluation of EU security policy since 2001 – called for last year by the members of the European Parliament’s civil liberties, justice and internal affairs committee – seeks to look at the cumulative effect of what has already been put in place before proposing new measures, said Security Union Commissioner Julian King at a press conference.
Overall the assessment is positive and dialogue with stakeholders revealed that the measures taken by the EU were considered to be “appropriate and effective”, just like the recent progress made with the proposal in July 2017 of new rules on the trafficking of cultural goods and the agreement on a new system of recording information on the entry and exit of third country nationals (see EUROPE 11828).
“Good progress has been made but crime and threats continue to evolve. We can’t allow ourselves to stand idly by. We have to improve our resilience”, King said.
The report identifies evolving threats, such as radicalisation and cybercrime, as a major challenge requiring amendment of existing instruments. The assessment also highlights a number of gaps in the European strategy, for example, the incomplete implementation of some EU policies and instruments at national level which reduces their effectiveness, the complexity of some EU instruments and tools making it harder for national authorities to use them to full effect and limited capacities at national level requiring further pooling of resources and expertise at EU level and synergies across policy areas.
To adapt European instruments to the threats, the Commission will conduct an evaluation over the coming months of: - the feasibility of possible legislation on non-conviction based confiscation; - a possible system to track terrorist financing; - the regulation of explosives precursors; - review of the EU cybersecurity strategy. In 2018, the Commission will present a legislative proposal on centralised bank account registers and e-evidence.
When asked about the resources available for implementing the Security Union, King highlighted the EU’s ability to mobilise additional funding when specific challenges arise. It was able to do so, for example, to help member states apply the EU directive on passenger information (PNR) when almost €70 million was allocated and €90 million was provided to enhance cooperation between police authorities, he said.
The Commission, which will present its assessment to the European Parliament and to the Council, called on the joint legislators to play an active role in the dialogue that is taking place on how to adapt counter-terrorism measures to the ever-evolving threats. The tenth progress report, scheduled for September 2017, will provide a further opportunity to take stock. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)