Gay Mitchell
Ceist:56 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the EU General Affairs Council decision on the opening of negotiations between Europol and third countries and international organisations. [25492/99]
Other Questions. - Europol Negotiations.
A Council decision is required before Europol can enter into negotiations with third states and international organisations on the exchange of information. The format of a draft decision had been drawn up and was to be submitted for adoption by the Council at the meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers on 2 December 1999. One member state entered a reservation at a late stage and the draft decision was withdrawn from the agenda for that meeting.
Does the Minister agree that, given the drugs epidemic, the European Union needs an organisation comparable to the US Drugs Enforcement Agency and that Europol should seek to develop such an agency? The Council of Ministers should also seek to develop such an agency to co-operate with the US and Asian drugs enforcement agencies on a region to region basis so regional controls can be put in place. Was this considered at the Council of Ministers meeting?
The purpose of the decision is to allow Europol to enter negotiations with certain countries and international organisations to exchange information. The objective of Europol is to facilitate the fight against organised crime by obtaining, analysing and exchanging information. Clearly, information from third countries could be of benefit in combating crime that affects the European Union.
Any decision will require the negotiations to address the type of information to be exchanged, the purpose for which it can be used, data protection issues, confidentiality and secondment of liaison officers. Information from third countries could be of benefit in combating crime in the European Union.
Has the Council of Ministers considered the creation of a coastguard for the entire European Union? Does the Minister agree, given that crime is now trans-national, Europol could be of service to the Union by developing into a body like the FBI and that there is need for Europe-wide, structured and proactive co-operation to deal with criminals operating on a Europe-wide basis?
Before Europol can exchange information with third countries certain conditions must be met. The Council decision must be adopted, Europol must satisfy itself that the country which is party to the negotiation has adequate data protection laws, a draft agreement must be drawn up, the joint supervisory body must be satisfied that any draft agreement meets data protection requirements and then a second Council decision is required to allow the adoption of the draft agreement. Certainly the suggestion put forward by the Deputy will be considered by us and will be brought forward at the next meeting.
Has the European Union received requests from Colombia for financial assistance along the lines of the request made of the US?
The draft decision will authorise Europol to enter negotiations with all 12 EU membership applicant countries which will participate in Europol on accession to the Union, the USA, Canada, Russia, Morocco and Colombia.
What is the list for?
This list is composed of countries which are being considered for negotiations.
For the exchange of information.
Yes. There are other countries involved. Switzerland, Norway and Iceland already have a special arrangement with the EU and will be covered by the decision. This list must be regarded as provisional until the decision is formally adopted by the Council. Further countries may be added at a later stage. The countries mentioned are those which are being considered for the exchange of information once the nuts and bolts have been put in place.