Jacques Barrot - Vice President of European Commission, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security
Speech delivered on 10 -11 November 2008 in Berlin at "7th Congress on European Security and Defence"
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You have asked me to open the this conference "A roadmap to a Security and Defence Union ". I am very honoured.
In order to launch our discussions I would like to consider the notion of security from different angles: European, industrial and international.
But before that, I would like to share with you some general reflections on the theme of Freedom and Security.
Our citizens legitimately expect governments and the European Union to guarantee their security.
Security in this context is an ever evolving notion: alongside the known threats such terrorism, proliferation of arms, organised crime or regional conflicts, we must add new threats such as climate change and security in energy supply. In addition, growing interdependence between different world regions changes the quality of threats.
The answers to the following two questions are linked: Which degree of security do we ambition" and "How do we want to organise our societies". The options range between a Zero-Risk approach and a Zero-Control approach.
As always, the truth lies in the middle. Our citizens want to live in Security and in Freedom:
- At airports we do not object when we are being asked to follow the safety procedures. At the same time, we do not want our private lives to be invaded more than necessary by government authorities.
- We want criminals and terrorist to be identified and caught using sophisticated technology. But we do not want to be treated like potential criminals ourselves.
Security and Freedom are two sides of the same coin. They are cannot be dissociated. Regulators must make sure that security enhancing measures are proportionate and respect fundamental values. Even beyond regulation, striking the balance between security and freedom is a permanent task for governments.
Our desire to enhance security must not have as a consequence the erosion of the very liberties that we seek to protect. A culture of fear would not improve European security. A culture of resilience will.
With this in mind, I would now like to turn to my first "security angle": Security in Europe
+ I- Security in Europe
Let me distinguish between security at the EU borders and security within the EU borders.
In the beginning of this year the Schengen area was enlarged to the East. We created a common space in which 405 (four hundred and five) million citizens can circulate freely. This was the last act in lifting the remnants of the Iron Curtain that divided Europe for too long. I consider the enlargement of the European Union and the Extension of the Schengen area to be among the biggest achievements of our Decade.
The creation of a common space of free circulation without internal borders obliged us to rethink security in that space.. Coordinating border controls and visa policy along the external borders is indispensable. Our security today in Berlin … is guaranteed by Polish and Greek border guards!
European maritime borders are increasingly subject to joint control operations. Operation HERA seeks to control illegal immigration flows between West Africa and the Canary Islands. Regional Police platforms such as MAOC (Maritime Analysis and operations centre ) seek to prevent drugs trafficking in the Atlantic.
Control of land borders is today well engaged on the basis of common standards and shared operational philosophies. Control of maritime borders is still characterised by a plethora of actors intervening. This is true at national and at European level. The European Commission launched the EUROSUR Initiative to overcome the "My radar screen"- phenomenon in the medium term. We prone a three step approach
- Upgrading of existing infrastructures with the help of Community financing
- Interconnecting existing systems and European Satellite infrastructures
- Integrating of reporting and surveillance systems.
The recent informal meeting of Defence ministers in Deauville has given another important impulse for enhancing civil and military cooperation in the area of maritime surveillance.
Security at the borders is a key aspect of our efforts to ensure security within EU borders". Within the EU borders have been removed. This benefits citizens and companies, but it also can be abused by criminals and terrorists.
The EU has concentrated efforts on fighting terrorism and organised crime. For example, the European arrest warrant enables swift cross-border cooperation in arresting and surrendering suspects or convicted persons.
EU legislation offers the means to deprive terrorists and organised criminals of funds. Joint law enforcement investigation teams track criminals beyond borders.
Europol coordinates police operations and provides an annual "organised crime threat assessment". Shared intelligence and threat analysis is the basis for joint operations
Eurojust increasingly acts as coordinator of cross-border investigations and prosecutions.
+ II- Security and Technology
Let me now turn to a second angle of the security notion.
From the outset the EU has made innovative technology a corner stone of its security concept. Technology helps us to identify security risks, address security threats and preserve privacy of our citizens.
The EU fosters public private partnership with industry. The tri-partite ESRIF process brings together public authorities, research communities and industry. Through ESRIF we seek t o develop European reference terms for security.
But we do not only have to look into the future. Already at present technology is the backbone of the EU security system.
The Schengen information system was deployed on the ground as of 1995. It can be used by all law enforcement bodies in the Schengen area. It offers alerts on persons (searched for, missed or staying illegally in the EU). It also offers alerts on assets ( bank notes, cars, trucks, passports). Today we are developing an enhanced version ( SIS II) which will include biometrics and offer easier access for law enforcement bodies.
The Schengen Information System will share a common platform with the future Visa Information System. The latter will allow for authorities to exchange information on holders of Visa. It is based on biometric features and will facilitate examination of visa requests whilst excluding as much as possible visa fraud and visa shopping.
Both, SIS and VIS are linked to a biometric matching system. BMS which will constitute the worlds largest biometric data base with an expected 70 million sets of fingerprints registered.
Just a world also on Galileo and Kopernikus.
Galileo, the European satellite based navigation and positioning system will soon become a reality after years of very considerable technological, political and financial efforts. It is neither the time nor the place to describe in detail its strategic importance, be it from a geostrategic or an industrial point of view. I would only like to mention one of the services of GALILEO, the PRS (Public regulated service) which will ensure continuous supply of signal security to end users in the event of disruption or threats of interference. This concerns law and order services, but also intelligence, border police, civil protection as well as peace keeping forces and humanitarian assistance teams.
The satellite based system Kopernikus will allow earth observation and has the potential to increase situational awareness with regard to illegal activities such as production and transport of drugs.
These are just a few examples on how Europe places its bet on innovation and technology to make European territory a safer place where citizens can enjoy their freedoms.
+ III- Global Security, the role of Europe
I would now like to discuss a third "security angle" which is global security.
Today it is commonplace to say that internal security and external security are interlinked. Your discussions later today and tomorrow will focus on different aspects of European military and civilian operations outside Europe. Such operations are necessary to enhance security inside Europe.
For my part, I would like to address a complementary aspect which is European " soft power". Europe's "soft power" leverage is also capable of ensuring security and respect of fundamental values inside and outside Europe.
"Soft power" can essentially be exercised in three different ways in order to enhance security:
- Establishing the framework for an exchange of data between the EU and partner countries: Specific personal data may be an important tool for preventing terrorist attacks. The EU has concluded agreements with the US, Canada and Australia on the transfer of data related to Passenger Name Records. These agreements allow for the exchange of a limited number of data for defined purposes. Respect of privacy rights is guaranteed irrespective of the location of the data concerned. These agreements show how Europe can contribute to shaping regulation on an international scale.
- Setting global standards for security procedures: Global standards for security procedures are essential when it comes to international mobility. Following the events at Heathrow in summer 2005 there was a call for re enforcing security rules at airports as far as carrying of liquids in planes was concerned. . European standards set at that occasion eventually were turned into global standards through ICAO. This allowed for travellers to adjust to the new rules world wide and it also avoided a disruption of journeys because of diverging standards. Currently the EU contributes to financing the development of new generation equipments which will allow detecting explosives more easily.
- Allowing for mutual recognition of security procedures: A last illustration of the use of "soft power" concerns the mutual recognition of security procedures and security equipment. This is a debate we currently have with the United States in the air transport area. The recognition of security equipment might also turn into an issue once we have developed new technologies for detecting liquids.
The distinction between internal and external security is rapidly evolving and increasingly interconnected.
I strongly believe that international cooperation is indispensable for ensuring security in Europe. I equally believe that it is in the interest of the European Union to speak with a single voice.
Our approach should be based on a shared risk assessment and on shared values. All our citizens are equally and in the same way entitled to protection and to respect of their freedoms.
+ Conclusion
In my presentation I have only addressed a few aspects of Security. I am convinced that your debates of today and tomorrow will shed light on many additional facets of this topic. Such dialogue will help to shape common views. Uniting our efforts in this sense is prerequisite for a roadmap towards a Security and Defence Union.
I wish you very fruitful discussions and thank you for your attention.
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