The role of internal security in relations between the EU and its neighbours

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be with so many of my distinguished colleagues, Ministers of the Interior, at the prestigious Hofburg Imperial Palace today. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Austrian Presidency, and in particular Minister Liese Prokop, for hosting this Ministerial Conference on the role of internal security in relations between the EU and its neighbours.

1. Opinion polls confirm that our discussions today go to the heart of the matter: one European citizen out of four considers crime one of the most important issues facing his country [only concern with the economic situation and unemployment rank higher]. For one out of six European citizens, terrorism and immigration are among the most important issues. I understand that the situation is not fundamentally different in the countries you, my dear colleagues, are representing here today.

2. Internal and external security intrinsically linked. It is therefore emblematic that the first sentence of the EU strategy for the external dimension of freedom, security and justice reads: «In order to meet the expectations of its citizens the European Union must respond to the security threats of terrorism, organised crime, corruption and drugs and to the challenge of managing migration flows». But as we all know, internal and external security are intrinsically linked. This was one of the reasons why the EU invited the neighbours of an enlarged Union to enhance cooperation by strengthening stability, security and well-being for all concerned in the framework of the New Neighbourhood Policy and reached out to the Western Balkan countries, offering them a European perspective.

3. Partnership, the first principle. It is also emblematic that the first principle that the EU strategy for the external dimension of freedom, security and justice promotes is that of partnership. This is why we look immediately to our neighbours and partners to enhance security in this increasingly interconnected world. I therefore welcome this Austrian initiative for working in a partnership for more security.

4. Challenges for working together towards the common objective of enhanced security for our citizens

4.1. Differentiated and flexible approaches for attaining common objectives

First of all, we need to acknowledge that while we share the same objective, we may possibly have different approaches for attaining it. One size fits all is not the solution. The terrorism can be countered in different ways in different countries. But it’s the cooperation that is crucial. Efficient and effective police forces which can cooperate with their counterparts in other countries and efficient border management are vital to fight various threats, from terrorism to organised crime. Therefore, depending on the situation we need a differentiated and flexible approach which takes into account the individual needs and capacities.

4.2. The need of a solid common basis within a framework of basic values

Second, we need a solid common basis on which to build our cooperation. Values like respect of human dignity. The right to liberty and security of person. Good governance and the rule of law. These values are crucial elements of every democratic society. We need to maintain and defend these basic values in order to remain credible. Our measures to enhance security must be necessary, proportionate and legitimate for the declared objective. This is a priority for the Commission and for me personally. This is why I am insisting on measures to enhance security in our internal policies that fully respect fundamental rights.

4.3. Regional and sub-regional cooperation

Third, when the EU promotes security-related issues in its relations with partner countries in the Western Balkan, neighbours to the East and to the South, this is not only about our bilateral contacts. Integral part of our strategy is further regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration.

5. How to enhance internal security?

Today’s conference provides us with an opportunity to discuss how we can put the idea into practice of working in partnership in order to enhance internal security. I would like to make some concrete proposals that reflect our concern to reconcile the need for security with respect for fundamental rights.

5.1. A global visa facilitation strategy and readmission agreements: one part of the long-term perspective of the full liberalisation of the visa regime

People to people contacts are indispensable in the context of enhancing political dialogue and cooperation with neighbouring countries. Ensuring secure cross border mobility for the citizens of neighbouring countries is a challenge and a key element for the European Union and, in particular, its efforts to encourage the development of a civil society dialogue.

I therefore advocate a clear global visa facilitation strategy which in my opinion should start with countries clearly having the European perspective. This strategy comprises a step-by-step and country-by-country approach for the EU’s future short stay visa regime. And it has a clear link to readmission policy.

So let us see closer what this «roadmap» for Western Balkan countries comprises. As a first step, I will put on the table mandates on visa facilitation and readmission agreements for Western Balkan countries. In these days (5th May) for example, we adopted two mandates for visa facilitation and readmission agreements with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Moreover, we are carrying on exploratory technical talks with Serbia and Montenegro, soon also with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. My plan is to bring forward negotiating mandates for all Western Balkan countries at the latest by July 2006.

As a second step, the EU Member States will approve these mandates and charge me and my services to enter into negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements. And I truly hope that with the help of the Presidency we will be able to conclude negotiations at least with two countries, e.g. Macedonia and Serbia, by the end of 2006. My goal is however to have all negotiations concluded and the agreements entered into force by the end of 2007.

(Taking into consideration the European perspective of Western Balkan countries, I think that these initiatives constitute a concrete step forward in the implementation of the Thessaloniki Conclusions and the commitments taken by the European Union for Western Balkan countries.)

In fact, visa facilitation coupled with readmission agreements are a short-term perspective to be accomplished by end of 2007. But I am aware that the full liberalisation of the visa regime is the ultimate desired goal for our partner countries. And therefore I would like to declare here today that a further step I am planning to pursue as a mid- or long-term perspective with our partner Western Balkan countries is a Dialogue on modalities and conditions for visa free regime. EU will not stop on the first step of visa facilitation arrangements if continuous progress in relevant areas enhancing security in the region is being accomplished by our partner countries.

This Dialogue on modalities for visa free regime will be set up after the visa facilitation and readmission agreements have entered into force. It can have clearly defined areas where progress could be measured, such as smooth and good functioning of readmission practices which would foster our mutual trust or good results of cross-border police cooperation, as well as success of the fight against corruption practices. This Dialogue will be tailor-made for each country so as to better reflect its individual progress. For our part the Commission will be strongly supporting every effort for such reforms.

5.2. Document security: the introduction of biometric identifiers

Also let me add another essential aspect to foster people-to-people contacts - enhancing the security of travel documents. Border control should be efficient and notably more fluid for bona fide travellers. This can be greatly facilitated by modern travel documents that establish a reliable link between the travel document and its holder, using biometric identifiers.

In the EU, the introduction of biometric identifiers is already foreseen for the passport [facial image: 28.8.2006 and fingerprints: June 2009] and will be decided shortly for the visa applicants in the Visa Information System.

Based on its own experience the EU could provide support to neighbouring countries to increase the security of their travel documents. I see scope for cooperation at the level of EU Member States, which are now working at these measures. And I would very much encourage my colleague ministers form the EU Member States and the neighbouring countries to consider setting up of a twinning practical cooperation in introducing the biometric data into the travel documents. The Commission for its part will organise as a first action a seminar on biometrics for the Western Balkan countries before the summer break.

5.3. Data protection and partnership with the private sector

I am aware that growing security requirements, notably if they entail the collection and processing of personal data, raise concerns with those involved with data protection. I believe that we can and will play it smartly and reconcile security needs with data protection imperatives.

Technology will play a key role in ensuring compliance with the data protection principles in the context of processing personal data, e.g. to store biometric data. The design of chips and readers for biometric passports will have to be privacy-compliant, privacy-friendly and ideally even privacy-enhancing.

The idea of partnership therefore needs to extend beyond the public sphere and include also the private sector. The Commission will promote this: it is about to create a Platform for EU-level public-private partnerships which will help to identify best practices and improve the exchange of information between the public and the private sector.

6. The visa facilitation strategy. The visa facilitation strategy that I am putting forward today covers the countries of the Western Balkans. This is part of a coherent regional approach, reflecting the European perspective of these countries and the need to promote stability, prosperity and security on our continent.

A model for countries of the European neighbourhood policy. I know that all our neighbouring countries attach great importance to improving people to people contacts and cross-border mobility. So do I - this is the future for our continent. But let’s not forget that the idea of visa facilitation is still a new groundbreaking instrument in the framework of a common approach on EU short-term visa policy with a clear link to readmission agreements. We need time to observe how it works in practice. What we intend to do for the Western Balkans may become a model for countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The example of Ukraine with whom we are negotiating a visa facilitation agreement already illustrates our readiness to engage our neighbouring partners.

7. Working together in partnership within a framework of common values. In conclusion, enhancing security is a daily task and a daily challenges that we all face. We should join our forces to counter security threats by working together in partnership within a framework of common values: democracy, the rule of law and respect of fundamental rights. Biometric passports are just one, but important example of how we can enhance security to our mutual benefit while being mindful of fundamental rights.

I am hoping for other concrete proposals for a balanced approach during this conference and very much look forward to our discussions.

Thank you.

Vice President Franco Frattini

European Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security

Ministerial Conference Vienna, 4 May 2006