Brussels, 13/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - European private security companies are calling on the EU to give them greater recognition and allow them to develop in a more coherent political environment. “We call on policy makers at all levels to put forward clear guidelines for a more integrated and coordinated European policy framework for private security,” said Marc Pissens, President of CoESS (Confederation of European Security Services) at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday 12 June 2008 between the private security industry and European politicians. “Establishing a clear political and legal context will not only support the growth and development of Europe and help our industry make a real difference in the daily lives of Europe's citizens, but also ensure that the European private security sector continues to remain a global leader, setting the standard in security,” he added. CoESS represents some 37,000 companies employing some 1.4 million people. CoESS says the industry needs to work more closely with the EU, particularly in terms of establishing quality standards in Europe. An expert explained that the member states, particularly new member states from the old Soviet bloc, did not have the same quality standards for their private security services. The growing role of private security can be put down to the outsourcing of security services by a greater number of both private and public companies, which used to deal with security themselves in the past. Discussion on the role of private security companies has also been boosted by the passing of new legislation like the directive on critical infrastructure adopted by the Council of the EU on 5 June 2008 (see EUROPE 9677). In line with the request of the European Parliament, the private security industry was excluded from the directive on services in the internal market (the Services Directive, see EUROPE 9307). (B.C./transl.fl)