Commission proposes a co-operation strategy with third countries in the area of freedom, security and justice

The European Commission adopted today a Communication «A strategy on the external dimension of the area of freedom, security and justice» that outlines the main external challenges facing the area of freedom, security and justice. The Communication identifies key areas for action with third countries, namely human rights, strengthening institutions and good governance, migration, asylum and border management, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, as well as principles to guide co-operation, such as geographic differentiation, partnership and flexibility.

«The external dimension of the area of freedom, security and justice» Vice-President Franco Frattini, responsible for Freedom, Security and Justice, underlined, «is becoming ever more important. It is clear that the internal area of freedom, security and justice can only be successfully established if, at the same time, we work to establish a secure external environment. At a time when the lives of European citizens are threatened by menaces such as organised crime or terrorism, which may originate outside the EU, it is imperative that we develop a coherent and comprehensive strategy to engage with third countries worldwide.»

This Communication responds to the call in the Hague Programme, repeated by the June European Council, for the Council to adopt by the end of 2005 a strategy on the external dimension of the area of freedom, security and justice. It represents the Commission’s contribution to the development of this strategy.

In the Commission’s view, the internal and external aspects of security are inextricably linked; societies based on the rule of law and respect for human rights will be more effective in preventing domestic threats to their own security, which might otherwise spill over and affect the EU, as well as more able and willing to co-operate against common international threats.

The Communication demonstrates how the external dimension of justice and home affairs policies contributes to the establishment of the internal area of freedom, security and justice, while at the same time supporting the political objectives of the European Union’s external relations. A broad range of instruments is available to implement co-operation on justice, freedom and security issues with third countries, ranging from co-operation agreements and technical assistance to Europol, Eurojust and liaison officers. The Communication assesses how these instruments could be applied in the near future to particular countries and regions, such as the United States, Western Balkans, Russia, Ukraine and the Mediterranean countries. The Communication concludes with a series of recommendations to facilitate application of the strategy, such as developing a regular review of co-operation with third countries.

Source : European Commission