Dear all,
This first report on the Security Union that we present today is a signal of our redoubling of efforts on security.
With the reinforcement of Sir Julian here next to me, we are also in a much better position to do so, and I will shortly pass the floor to him to give you more details on what we present today.
Our security environment is evolving rapidly, and this is precisely why we need to keep tabs on all elements to deliver on a genuine and effective Security Union.
Take for example the arrest in Germany on Monday morning.
There is a lot in this single case that is highly relevant to what we present today:
– It was the close cooperation of intelligence services and police that led to the arrest.
– He was in possession of explosives, whose ingredients are supposed to be tightly controlled by our existing rules.
– He was under surveillance by security services.
On all these points, our actions on the Security Union will have a real impact:
From strengthening our information exchange, Europol and the Counter Terrorism Centre, to making sure that Member States effectively implement all rules in the field of security, to reaching agreements soon on a number of key proposals in our fight against terrorism, but also proposing new measures later this autumn.
As Sir Julian will explain to you, we have an ambitious agenda, and we are determined to deliver.
What matters is that all these dots have to be connected.
The Security Union is the context within which we can foster more cooperation and most importantly: Trust – within and among member States and all stakeholders.
I now pass the floor to Commissioner King.