On Thursday 25 September, the Danish Presidency of the EU Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement on strengthening the EU’s law enforcement cooperation agency, Europol, to better support Member States in their fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
At the end of a fairly short meeting, the last outstanding point was finally removed from the text, according to a source (see EUROPE 13716/1).
This agreement “puts particular emphasis on strengthening information sharing between Member States and Europol to improve cooperation at EU-level”, explains the EU Council in a press release.
Once adopted, the new rules will strengthen the obligations for sharing information (on migrant smuggling and human trafficking) between national authorities and Europol. “For this purpose, it now follows clearly that the Member States, for instance when participating in operational task forces or in case of Europol deployment in its territory, should make information accessible to Europol”.
Relevant information on migrant smuggling and human trafficking from immigration liaison officers deployed by Member States in third countries should also be shared with Europol.
In addition, the new rules create a European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling, a permanent structure within Europol. “The centre will provide strategic, operational and technical support to Member States to prevent and combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. It will also play a role in supporting the identification of victims of trafficking or other vulnerable individuals”.
Frontex - the European border agency - and Eurojust - the EU agency for criminal justice cooperation - are expected to second liaison officers to the centre.
In order to maximise the effectiveness of the European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling and ensure rapid and systematic coordination and exchange of information to fight migrant smuggling and human trafficking at EU level, the centre will include representatives of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, in accordance with their respective mandates. The centre will also be able to invite the Commission and the main actors of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), as well as other relevant EU bodies or agencies, such as the European Union Agency for Asylum, to contribute to its activities when required actions fall within their mandates.
In addition, the centre will be able to cooperate with immigration liaison officers deployed in third countries and, where strictly necessary and proportionate, with the European External Action Service and Common Security and Defence Policy missions, in accordance with their respective mandates and that of Europol, the agreement states.
The agreement also provides for additional human and financial resources (50 people and €50 million) for Europol. It must be confirmed by both parties. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)