Summary:
The statements and concluding remarks of the London Conference on
Organized Crime (25 November 2002) gave the lead to the EU Presidency to devise
approaches to combat organized crime and to enhance the capacities of regional
(South Eastern European) law enforcement agencies through operational links between
EUROPOL and the Bucharest Centre for Combating Transborder Organized Crime, and
through the establishment of a regional (SEE) association of police.
The
Stability Pact - with its links to EU institutions, other European governmental
agencies, South Eastern European institutions, and Euro-Atlantic institutions,
was well-placed to support activities in the lead up to the EU-SEE summit which
took place in Thessaloniki in June. The summit declaration states under item 6.
Organised crime and corruption is a real obstacle to democratic stability, the
rule of law, economic development and development of civil society in the region
and is a source of grave concern to the EU. Combating it constitutes a major priority.
The SAP countries commit themselves to define and implement the measures foreseen
in the follow up process to the London conference of November 2002 and described
in the Thessaloniki Agenda. Particular attention will be given in combating trafficking
in human beings.
The Stability Pact assisted the Greek Presidency
in the implementation of the recommendations of the London Conference and will
continue to do under the Italian presidency. The Pact provides existing structures,
specifically the SPOC Board, which is currently chaired by the Head of the Department
for International Law Enforcement Cooperation from the Austrian Ministry of the
Interior, the SPOC Secretariat and the experts working in the Justice and Home
Affairs (JHA) Team for Working Table III in Brussels.
Background:
There
are many actors in this field, and communication and cooperation is essential.
The
South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) intended to play a leading role
in London Conference follow-up. It hosted a ministerial meeting to data protection
- essential for data exchange between the region and the EU - and witness protection.
The Greek Presidency managed to oversee the London Conference follow
up process. The major EU activity was the above-mentioned EU-SEE summit meeting.
The
Stability Pact currently has initiatives on anti-corruption (SPAI), anti-organised
crime (SPOC), police training (Police Forum), trafficking in human beings, and
on border issues, and has links with the Bucharest-based Regional Centre for Combating
Transborder Organized Crime (the "SECI Centre"), with the EU Anti-Fraud
Office (OLAF), with EUROPOL. The Stability Pact is also in consultation with the
Presidency of the EU, with the Council Secretariat, and with the European Commission.
SPAI
will work closely with other interested bodies to fight corruption in South Eastern
Europe. The suggested approach and action plan will be discussed at an upcoming
Steering Group meeting. In cooperation with SPAI, the Stability Pact is designing
a project on fraud in the field of international subventions (aid flows) to be
developed by Transparency International with the support of OLAF.
The
SECI Centre is currently not operationally inclined, with the exception of specific
task forces and limited field operations. The Centre is examining the possibility
for improving its operational activities and has stated its intention to work
in cooperation with others on regional crime issues.
OLAF has regional
capacity in the areas of combating financial crime (fraud). As part of a multi-country
PHARE project, OLAF is overseeing the establishment of anti-fraud co-ordination
services in national administrations in Candidate Countries, whose role will be
to co-ordinate activities, communicate and co-operate with OLAF.
EUROPOL
is supportive of Stability Pact initiatives, specifically SPOC, and in developing
an operational relationship with the Bucharest Centre; it is not operationally
inclined in the area of organized crime, with the notable exception of protecting
the integrity of the Euro (a task shared by OLAF).
The Stability Pact will
follow-up closely to monitor communication between EUROPOL and the SECI Centre.
It offers its good offices to maintain the dialogue between these utmost important
actors in the fight against organized crime.
Operationisation:
Within
the parameters of existing capabilities (no new institutions), the Stability Pact
is moving towards implementation of the London Conference (and SEECP, EU Presidency).
It took into account the recommendations of the Working Table III/Regional Table
meeting, which took place in Croatia at the end of May. The Stability Pact re-activated
the SPOC Initiative through new efficient working structures and committed human
resources. In order to implement the various recommendations, SPOC needs to lobby
for financial resources to operationalize organized crime fighting projects in
SEE.
Amongst others, the initial goals would be: