Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

15.6.2018

The Regional programme ‘Euromed police IV’, implemented by CIVIPOL, conducts some actions on cybercrime. In April 2018, along with the ‘Euromed Justice’ programme, they presented in Lisbon a digital evidence manual which will serve as a guideline for the law enforcement and judiciary practitioners on cybercrime related issues.

A tailored Capacity Building action on cybercrime is foreseen to be hosted by a partner country in the Southern Neighbourhood. Topics pre-identified so far are: Bank accounts frauds, Ransomware, Business e-mail compromise, Malware analysis, Forensics, social media investigations, Cyberspace and terrorism.

The three projects mentioned are funded under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace: ‘Border security management in Tunisia's southern borders, preventing violent extremism’ and ‘Enhancing inclusive and democratic security governance of Tunisia's borders’ ended in the first quarter of 2018 and were implemented by the Danish Demining Group and International Alert.

The latter will continue in the project, ‘Youth resilience to violent extremist discourse’. The project, ‘Expertise in support of the Tunisian authorities in the fight against terrorism’, implemented by CIVIPOL, provides assistance to the gendarmerie and the justice sector for improved deterrence, investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorist crimes, including cyber crime. Assistance is provided to the Tunisian Intelligence Fusion Centre to improve decision-making, including the country's counter-terror strategy.

The EU encouraged the Tunisian authorities to participate in the Seahorse Mediterranean Network and offered them the possibility to attend training without formal commitment of participation in the network. The Tunisian authorities are yet to reply.