The Heads of State or Government of the Twenty-Eight should call on Thursday 18 October for an early response to security threats facing the EU.
According to a European diplomat, this will only be a "transposition" of the discussions of European leaders at the Salzburg summit (see EUROPE 12098).
In a version of the European Council's findings, dated 15 October, a series of initiatives are listed on the table to be implemented before the end of the current parliamentary term. These include the proposal on the removal of online terrorist content (see EUROPE 12095).
The findings should also refer to the extension of the powers of the European Public Prosecutor's Office to terrorism, stating that the proposal "should be examined” (see EUROPE 12094).
The wording seems deliberately vague. And for good reason, as three groups of countries are emerging, according to a European source: those who are in favour, those who are against it on the grounds of national sovereignty, and those who think it is a little early to think about it, whereas the European Public Prosecutor's Office should only be operational in 2020.
Another issue on which European leaders want an early agreement is electronic evidence - a key issue for France. The conclusions should also urge the Commission to submit to the Council without delay the negotiating mandates to undertake international negotiations on electronic evidence, in particular with the American authorities (see EUROPE 12115).
The Twenty-Eight should also commit themselves to providing Member States' law enforcement authorities and the European Police Office, Europol, with adequate resources to meet the new challenges posed by technological progress.
Interoperability. The improvement of the interoperability of information systems and databases should again be requested. The European Council findings should indeed recognise that progress has already been made, while calling for further efforts to make the different systems work together, in particular through a common repository of identity data.
In this area, the European Council should particularly call for the conclusion of negotiations on the ECRIS-TCN information system on criminal records, which seems to be at an impasse (see other news).
Elections. Ensuring security in view of the crucial deadline for the European elections in May 2019 is another top priority for European leaders, with a focus on a "rapid review” of the measures put on the table by the Commission in September to ensure free and secure elections in Europe (see EUROPE 12094).
Leaders should also recall that they look forward to the action plan on online misinformation (see EUROPE 12118) that the Commission is expected to publish on 5 December. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)