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CoESS contributing to current and future European Security Union

CoESS contributing to current and future European Security Union

The current legislature of the European Parliament and Commission is coming to an end: time for Commissioner of the Security Union, Sir Julian King, to publish his latest Progress Report, assessing major accomplishments of the Security Union – such as the establishment of the EU Operators Forum of which CoESS is a member. Its latest Commission Staff Working Document on “Good practices to support the protection of public spaces” takes on board many items that CoESS has put on the Forum’s agenda.

With the elections for the European Parliament coming up in May and the ending legislative term of the current European Commission, the most recent Progress Report on the European Security Union wraps up the major accomplishments of the initiative under Commissioner Sir Julian King.

Current state of the Security Union

In total, 15 out of 22 Security Union initiatives have been agreed upon by legislators, including the Cybersecurity Act, effective and secure IT systems (SIS, ETIAS, ECRIS), combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment, as well as the restriction of marketing and use of explosives precursors. Furthermore, in the document, the Commission welcomes the Parliament’s final TERR Report as a valuable input to the joint work towards an effective and genuine Security Union. CoESS had provided large input to the Parliament’s report (see last newsletter). Another major accomplishment of the European Security Union has been the establishment of the EU Operators Forum. It shall support Member States and their local authorities in the protection of public spaces in cooperation with private actors.

CoESS input to Commission Staff Working Document

A key outcome of the EU Operators Forum is the publication of the Commission Staff Working Document on “Good practices to support the protection of public spaces”. The document shall provide the basis for future discussions around the European Security Union concerning the protection of public spaces.

CoESS has actively contributed to the work of the Forum and to consultations around the document. We are therefore glad that the European Commission took many of our recommendations on board, including:

  • Vulnerability assessment of public spaces on the basis of a common methodology tool such as the EU Vulnerability Assessment Tool;
  • Highlight the importance of a security by design approach;
  • Reference of CoESS’ AITRAP project as a best practice example to raise awareness to Insider Threats;
  • Assessing access controls and barriers in cooperation with security experts to avoid new vulnerabilities and bottlenecks;
  • Design of security exercises according to a PDCA (Plan Do Check Act) principle.

State of the Security Union in Parliament and Council

While the European Parliament already approved the final report of its Special Committee on Terrorism early this year, European Ministers of Home Affairs and Justice met in March to discuss the state of play and way forward on the EU response to terrorism (see an overview on the Council website). They focused on identifying practical and legislative gaps, which need to be addressed, as well as areas to be regarded in priority. They underlined the importance of implementing the measures already adopted. On the basis of this discussion, the process of reflecting on the way forward will continue at technical level.

The Future of the European Security Union

Together with the European Parliament’s Special Report on Terrorism and ongoing discussions in Council, the Staff Working Document will provide a common basis for future initiatives in the field of EU counterterrorism policies and protection of public spaces. CoESS is very glad to have had the opportunity to significantly contribute to both documents.

The future of the European Security Union will however largely be set by the upcoming European Commission, to be elected by the new European Parliament as of summer 2019. In preparation, CoESS is already in touch with Commission representatives to set the agenda for future European security policies, including calls for action on specific criteria for security  procurement, and public-private partnerships.

 

Link to the Progress Report: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/20190320_com-2019-145-security-union-update-18_en.pdf

Link to the Staff Working Document: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/20190320_swd-2019-140-security-union-update-18_en.pdf

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