ERDF — Police training

5.9.2016

Question for written answer E-006688-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Sabine Lösing (GUE/NGL) , Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL)

In its January-February 2016 issue, ‘Kommando — International Special Operations Magazine’ (K-ISOM) reports that the Special Operations Force of the Saxony regional police force is considering purchasing ‘Eagle’ or ‘Dingo’ type armoured vehicles. It also states: ‘In addition, the Saxony Special Operations Force is training together with the Polish Special Operations Force (SPAP) from Wroclaw. This cooperation is funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).’ This has clearly also happened in the past. (https://www.polizei.sachsen.de/de/20827.htm).

‘Article 176 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides that the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is intended to help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union. Under that Article and the second and third paragraphs of Article 174 TFEU, the ERDF is to contribute to reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and to reducing the backwardness of the least favoured regions…’ (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32013R1301).

1. To what extent, and over what period, has support been given to police cooperation between the German region of Saxony and Poland to date?

2. Did this support include equipping the police with military and/or dual use products?

3. What other police cooperation projects have so far been supported from the European Regional Development Fund, and to what extent does this serve to achieve the objectives set out in Regulation (EU) No 1301/2013?