Main challenges towards the European Security Union

In 2015 the idea of a European Security Union was officially announced. Therein, the ambitious plan to tackle organised crime, terrorism, money laundering, radicalisation and illegal weapon trade but also border security and disaster resilience was introduced. At the same time, strengthening the resilience and building a stronger defence against those threats is a vital part of the agenda.

Fighting organised crime on the international level and terrorism needs a well-connected information network to function properly. That’s why the biggest concern for the Security Union is the fragmented information base and the deficient data sharing between EU Member State Authorities. These shortcomings in management made it possible for individuals to appear in different EU databases, using multiple identities for illegal activities and terrorism.

Work on this issue already begun in spring 2015, aiming at smarter and stronger information systems for security, intensified cooperation and interconnection of databases. As a result, many steps towards the interoperability of information systems are well on their way, such as a common European portal that enables
the search of multiple EU information systems.

Still, new technology needs adjustments. For instance, even though it is already possible for executive authorities to consult non-law enforcement information systems, the efficiency is currently hindered by respectively different access conditions and safeguards. As a result, a new “two-step data consultation” approach was proposed, which would facilitate the search for vital information while respecting the fundamental rights of data protection.

The proposed measures will not lead to the interconnectivity of the individual systems. Each system will keep its specific purpose limitation, access rules and data retention rules. The proposed measures will also not lead to an increase in the collection of new data. They provide a targeted and intelligent way of using existing information held in EU systems to best effect. [1]

However, the reforms towards this new system are hindered. The mentioned proposals and their necessary changes are part of a larger legal framework, such as the Schengen Borders Code or the legal instruments governing the Visa Information System. Much of this is currently under negotiation in the European Parliament and Council. For these instruments, it is therefore not possible to set out the necessary amendments until a political agreement is reached.

A further stepping stone towards the Security Union is the implementation of new information systems already agreed upon, one of which is the Passenger Name Records (PNR) Directive that functions as a key tool in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. One year after the PNR implementation plan has been set up, it is still not fully established. The same applies to the implementation of the Prüm Decisions – a treaty for the exchange of fingerprint, DNA and vehicle registration data. Progress has already been made in most of the member states in this regard, but not to a satisfying level. Since security tools have to be fully operational to work at maximum potential, it is crucial that the efforts to deliver a successful conclusion are driven forward.

Aside from that, already established agendas seem to need further adjustment as well: The definition of money laundering needs to be harmonized to overcome obstacles in cross-border cooperation, at the same time the regulation considering firearms (Regulation 258/2012) has a severe lack of precision of its provisions. This makes cross-border crime an ongoing threat. Critics also see many flaws when it comes to transparency and regulation of online content regarding terrorist material and propaganda. The European Commission states in this regard:

Currently, a harmonised and coherent approach to the removal of illegal content does not exist in the EU. A more aligned approach however would make the fight against illegal content more effective. It would also benefit the development of the Digital Single Market and reduce the cost of compliance with a multitude of rules for online platforms, including for new entrants. [2]

This has already been addressed at the EU Internet Forum in December 2017 in order to further promote cooperation with social media companies and to detect and remove terrorist and other illegal content online.

Major steps have been made towards the Security Union in regards to information sharing and harmonising regulations on an international level. Still, continuing efforts and further adjustments are necessary to promote progress.

References

[1] European Commission. (2017). Twelfth progress report towards an effective and genuine Security Union. Brussels, 12.12.2017
[2] europa.eu, (2017), European Commission Press Release Database, [online] at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-3522_en.htm

Keywords

Security union, challenge, data exchange, amendment, information gap, terrorism, cooperation, EU internet Forum, European Commission, Firearms regulation, Prüm Decisions, Passener Name Records