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'How the Justice, Freedom and Security policies influence EU's external action, some examples: migration, terrorism and trans-national organised crime' Address by Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security at the Foreign Ministry Heads of Missions Conference “Prime Minister, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here. Internal and external policies are interlinked. Today I will argue that Justice, Freedom and Security policies do not just influence the EU's external action. But internal and external policies are interlinked.
Central role for justice, freedom and security Political priorities often come from external, unexpected, sometimes tragic, events. We need only think of the refugees coming to the EU from Iraq, the boats of migrants from Africa desperately seeking European shores, around 500,000 humans trafficked through Europe each year or the internet which can send information on bomb-making, or indecent images of children, around the world. Here the boundaries between internal and external EU business are blurred. What is clear is that there is a central role for justice, freedom and security.
Trans-national dimension and complex organisational networks I will outline why justice, freedom and security policy is interlinked with the EU's external action. And then focus on migration, terrorism and organised crime. We must confront these difficult challenges. They all have a common characteristic: they all have a trans-national dimension and therefore complex organisational networks. We cannot separate justice, freedom and security from the EU's external action for both positive and negative reasons. 1. No choice To begin with the negative: we have no choice but to place justice, freedom and security policy in our external action.
Threats from outside cut across borders Threats to European Union citizens often come from outside the EU's borders. Their effects cut across internal borders. To protect our citizens and successfully build an internal area of justice, freedom and security we must consider external pressures. The outside world impacts on us.
No one Member State can fight alone No one Member State can work alone. Our citizens appreciate this very well. Our states do less so. And the EU must look outside its borders for answers. Complex and sophisticated policy Our policy must be as complex and sophisticated as the challenges we face. We need an equally complex structure of attack; a structure based on the mutual and continuous exchange of information, on reciprocal trust and collaboration between all those working to confront these phenomena.
Groups of Commissioners established Making complex, sophisticated and democratic policy can take time – especially with 27 different Member States or 27 different Commissioner areas. Specific Groups of Commissioners have been established within the Commission; these groups cut across different policy areas to address the complex social phenomena of our times. 2. Take positive action for a secure external environment We should not merely react to difficult and complex phenomena. We must also respond positively. If we want to be more effective, we need to provide more than just a reaction. So we are taking positive action for a secure external environment. Maintain international stability and security The EU's overall external objectives are advanced by promoting key justice, freedom and security policies. We must help maintain international stability and security. Societies based on good governance, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights will be more effective in preventing domestic threats to their own security. They are as well as more able and willing to cooperate against common international threats. First principle is working in partnership with third countries The first principle of the EU strategy for the external dimension of justice, freedom and security [published December 2005] is working in partnership with third countries. We share common problems and objectives. The EU faces threats and challenges. So do others such as the USA and Egypt. By working with them we can face up to challenges and promote stability. This is what we are doing working with the USA on SWIFT and Passenger Name Records, or with African countries - including Senegal and Mali - on legal and illegal immigration. 3. Solidarity: We are stronger together There is also a practical dimension. We are stronger together. Solidarity is one of the main objectives of this Commission. Solidarity is not just about reciprocal help. Solidarity gives strength to EU action in the international arena. If the EU acts together we have more power. The Union must speak with one voice. Justice, freedom and security policy must be embedded in our external relations.
Some practical examples:
USA visa waiver A key external action we are taking vis a vis the USA is to argue for the visa waiver to be applied to all EU Member States. At present citizens from this country must get a visa whereas an Italian or French citizen has a visa waiver and can travel to the USA without the paperwork. And, under Schengen, with the lifting of the EU's internal borders a US citizen can travel throughout the EU without a visa. This is unfair. I am pushing the EU to act together in solidarity to challenge this.
Consular protection We are acting together on consular protection. EU nationals make some 180 million trips each year outside the EU. Events such as the 2004 Tsunami catastrophe in South East Asia, the 2005 terrorist attack in Bali and the civil war in Lebanon last year showed problems. Thousands of EU citizens suddenly found themselves in need of help in a country where their Member State was not represented. Member States, especially smaller ones, cannot afford consulates in every country. So we are working in solidarity to provide services to all EU citizens. Hungary’s key role in visa facilitation centre in Moldova We have seen benefits also with the visa facilitation centre in Moldova. Thanks to Hungary's action, alongside Austria and Slovakia, the first common visa application centre has been established at the Hungarian Embassy in Chisinau. This benefits Moldovan citizens and offers Member States savings. Turning now to the three areas of migration, terrorism and organised crime:
A. Migration:
Bring together migration, external relations and development Migration policy is a key part of our external relations. Globalisation exacerbates movements of capital and people. The 'Global Approach on migration,' adopted by the European Council in 2005, is our guide to managing migration. It brings together migration, external relations and development policy in an integrated, comprehensive and balanced way. We discuss with Third Countries ways to better jointly manage migration. This is done in open spirit, recognizing that our interests are not always the same.
Merging the migration and development agenda The EU is playing a leading global role in merging the migration and development agenda. Again we see the need to view different policy areas, internal and external action together. We are working to fight poverty in Africa. Migration helps by improving migrant remittances, lessening the brain drain and empowering migrant communities. Circular migration I announced in May proposals for 'circular migration'. This could be an innovative way to deal with migration, which addresses the interests of both sending and receiving countries. If properly managed, it can help migrants to come to the EU and work legally for a period of time. Migrants return to their own country, taking back skills and other resources. This can help the EU address labour needs and contribute to development in the countries of origin.
Visa and readmission agreements The European Union is the most open market in the world for the poorest countries, and their largest trading partner. In justice, freedom and security we have agreed a first series of visa and readmission agreements. We are cooperating on migration matters with countries as diverse as Morocco, Senegal, Mali, Columbia, and Egypt.
B. Terrorism:
Terrorism does not stop at borders A common European approach to fighting terrorism is essential. Technology, with its speed and sophistication, and terrorists willing to attack wherever and whenever they think they will get maximum results by-pass traditional national borders. And the effects of terrorism do not stop at borders: they can affect people or infrastructure – our electricity, roads, railways, bridges, airports, and Information Technology – in many countries.
Solidarity provides the tools necessary to fight terrorism The EU adds value in the fight against international terrorism. We will adopt an ambitious counter terrorism package this autumn. This will cover action which is better taken in solidarity at EU level. This includes making it criminal to spread information about bomb-making –including through websites; practical action on explosives such as a rapid alert system across Europe for stolen explosives. And I recently launched [July 2007] a debate on our ability to tackle bioterrorism – such attacks could infect many people, contaminate soil, or destroy agriculture and attack our food supply chain.
Fully committed to promoting the respect of fundamental rights The fight against terrorism must go alongside the protection and promotion of fundamental rights. We need to continue our efforts to combat terrorism, while respecting fundamental rights, including individual rights. Indeed, the two rights must go hand in hand. That is why the promotion of fundamental rights is not just a core justice, freedom and security policy issue, but a core part of the EU's external relations strategy.
C. Organised crime:
Equally vigilant to combat organised crime While we must never let down our defences to fight terrorism, we should be equally vigilant to combat organised crime groups who benefit from modern technology, increasing mobility and open borders.
Drugs: external clearly impacts on the internal Drug trafficking is the most common main activity of organised crime groups. Drugs usually originate from outside the EU. But the consequences are felt internally. The EU has up to two million drug users and around 8000 [eight thousand] die each year of drug overdoses. The external clearly impacts on the internal. And justice, freedom and security policy must therefore be a key part of our action to combat this issue.
Regional organised crime gangs Europe is not homogeneous. There are cultural, social, historical and geographical differences. To understand the links between internal and external, and why justice, freedom and security are interlinked to external policy, we can look at regional organised crime gangs. In south-west Europe, illegal immigration, cocaine and cannabis trafficking are all widespread organised crimes. To understand this we can consider Spain's cultural and economic links to South America, and the geographical proximity to Morocco. In Eastern Europe, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania's proximity to Russia is a key factor. Russia is a source for illegal tobacco, alcohol and heroin in transit from central Asia and a market for stolen vehicles. Interdependence between the external and the internal Organised crime gangs therefore illustrate the interdependence between the external and the internal. Our policy must be as complex and sophisticated as the criminals. Technology blurs internal and external boundaries Advances in technology are also relevant. And increasingly blur internal and external boundaries. Globalisation means consumers across the world have similar tastes. Worldwide demand for the same DVDs and clothes are welcome news for organised crime gangs involved in counterfeiting. The goods available on the streets of EU capitals originate frequently from East and South East Asia.
Internet provides information and a way of communicating Technology advances also ensure the Internet provides information and a way of communicating which benefits organised crime gangs across the EU's borders. E-mail, internet chat rooms, and instant messaging help organised criminals to communicate. I launched a cybercrime communication in May which included how to tackle misuse of the internet.
Conclusion:
Cannot have artificial borders between different policies nor between internal and external policy To tackle organised crime all areas of policy must come together. We cannot have artificial borders between different policies nor between internal and external policy. Those who threaten the EU would be the only people to benefit. Rather we must see justice, freedom and security as interlinked to the EU's external action.
Coherent strategy at EU level Cross border challenges - global terrorism, organised crime and migration - need a coherent strategy at EU level. This is where the EU adds value. Europe must look ahead: delivering 21st century solutions to 21st century concerns.” (July 30th, 2007) |