REPORT on the draft Council implementing decision approving the conclusion by the European Police Office (Europol) of the Agreement on Strategic Cooperation in the fight against serious crime and terrorism between the United Arab Emirates and Europol
3.12.2015 - (10510/2015 – C8‑0275/2015 – 2015/0809(CNS)) - *
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Rapporteur: Alessandra Mussolini
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the draft Council implementing decision approving the conclusion by the European Police Office (Europol) of the Agreement on Strategic Cooperation in the fight against serious crime and terrorism between the United Arab Emirates and Europol
(10510/2015 – C8‑0275/2015 – 2015/0809(CNS))
(Consultation)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Council draft (10510/2015),
– having regard to Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and Article 9 of Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C8-0275/2015),
– having regard to Council Decision 2009/371/JHA of 6 April 2009 establishing the European Police Office (Europol)[1], and in particular Article 23(2) thereof,
– having regard to Council Decision 2009/934/JHA of 30 November 2009 adopting the implementing rules governing Europol’s relations with partners, including the exchange of personal data and classified information[2], and in particular Articles 5 and 6 thereof,
– having regard to Council Decision 2009/935/JHA of 30 November 2009 determining the list of third States and organisations with which Europol shall conclude agreements[3],
– having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A8-0351/2015),
1. Approves the Council draft;
2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;
3. Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the text approved by Parliament;
4. Calls on the Commission to assess, after the entry into force of the new Europol Regulation (2013/0091(COD)), the provisions contained in the cooperation agreement; calls on the Commission to inform the Parliament and the Council of the outcome of this assessment and, if appropriate, to submit a recommendation for an authorisation to open international renegotiation of the agreement;
5. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and Europol.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
According to Article 23(2) of the current Europol Council Decision (Decision 2009/371/JHA), it is for the Council to approve the conclusion of international cooperation agreements with thirds states or international organisations, after having consulted the European Parliament. Such agreements may concern the exchange of operational, strategic, technical or classified information. The operational cooperation agreement also includes the exchange of personal data.
This proposal concerns the proposed approval of a strategic cooperation agreement between Europol and the United Arab Emirates. Such strategic agreement excludes the exchange of personal data, so the issue of data protection is not relevant in this case. The information exchanged could include specialist knowledge, general situation reports, results of strategic analysis, information on criminal investigation procedures, information on crime-prevention methods, training activities, and the provision of advice and support in individual criminal investigations.
There seem to be clear operational needs for Europol to cooperate with the United Arab Emirates. According to Europol, the United Arab Emirates are increasingly relevant in the fight against organized crime as that country is becoming a growing hub for economic and financial crime. Proceeds from criminal activities such as Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud, Missing Trader Intra Community (MTIC) fraud and Money Laundering have been reinvested in the United Arab Emirates and key criminals involved in these frauds have sought refuge there.
The rapporteur supports the conclusion of this strategic cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates, since it would aid and reinforce the fight against financial fraud and would contribute to enhancing international cooperation in the field of financial investigation and other relevant criminal matters.
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
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Title |
Strategic cooperation in the fight against serious crime and terrorism between the United Arab Emirates and Europol |
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References |
10510/2015 – C8-0275/2015 – 2015/0809(CNS) |
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Date of consulting Parliament |
18.9.2015 |
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Committee responsible Date announced in plenary |
LIBE 5.10.2015 |
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Committees asked for opinions Date announced in plenary |
AFET 5.10.2015 |
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Not delivering opinions Date of decision |
AFET 13.10.2015 |
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Rapporteurs Date appointed |
Alessandra Mussolini 10.11.2015 |
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Discussed in committee |
10.11.2015 |
30.11.2015 |
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Date adopted |
30.11.2015 |
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Result of final vote |
+: –: 0: |
37 15 0 |
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Members present for the final vote |
Jan Philipp Albrecht, Michał Boni, Ignazio Corrao, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Frank Engel, Kinga Gál, Ana Gomes, Nathalie Griesbeck, Sylvie Guillaume, Jussi Halla-aho, Monika Hohlmeier, Brice Hortefeux, Sophia in ‘t Veld, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann, Barbara Kudrycka, Marju Lauristin, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Roberta Metsola, Louis Michel, Claude Moraes, Alessandra Mussolini, József Nagy, Soraya Post, Judith Sargentini, Birgit Sippel, Branislav Škripek, Csaba Sógor, Helga Stevens, Bodil Valero, Marie-Christine Vergiat, Harald Vilimsky, Udo Voigt, Beatrix von Storch, Josef Weidenholzer, Cecilia Wikström, Kristina Winberg, Tomáš Zdechovský |
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Substitutes present for the final vote |
Carlos Coelho, Anna Hedh, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Marek Jurek, Ska Keller, Miltiadis Kyrkos, Jeroen Lenaers, Nuno Melo, Emilian Pavel, Morten Helveg Petersen, Barbara Spinelli, Axel Voss |
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Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote |
Jens Geier, Gabriele Preuß, Marco Zanni |
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Date tabled |
3.12.2015 |
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FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
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37 |
+ |
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ECR |
Jussi Halla-aho, Marek Jurek, Branislav Škripek, Helga Stevens, Beatrix von Storch |
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EFDD |
Kristina Winberg |
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PPE |
Michał Boni, Carlos Coelho, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Frank Engel, Kinga Gál, Monika Hohlmeier, Brice Hortefeux, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Barbara Kudrycka, Jeroen Lenaers, Nuno Melo, Roberta Metsola, Alessandra Mussolini, József Nagy, Csaba Sógor, Axel Voss, Tomáš Zdechovský |
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S&D |
Jens Geier, Ana Gomes, Sylvie Guillaume, Anna Hedh, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann, Miltiadis Kyrkos, Marju Lauristin, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Claude Moraes, Emilian Pavel, Soraya Post, Gabriele Preuß, Birgit Sippel, Josef Weidenholzer |
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15 |
- |
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ALDE |
Nathalie Griesbeck, Sophia in 't Veld, Louis Michel, Morten Helveg Petersen, Cecilia Wikström |
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EFDD |
Ignazio Corrao, Marco Zanni |
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ENF |
Harald Vilimsky |
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GUE/NGL |
Barbara Spinelli, Marie-Christine Vergiat |
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NI |
Udo Voigt |
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VERTS/ALE |
Jan Philipp Albrecht, Ska Keller, Judith Sargentini, Bodil Valero |
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0 |
0 |
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Key to symbols:
+ : in favour
- : against
0 : abstention