European People’s Party: ‘A European Security Pact to protect our citizens’
Writing in eolas Magazine, Fine Gael MEP, Regina Doherty, the European People’s Party (EPP) President Manfred Weber MEP (CSU, Germany), and EPP Group Vice-Chair Tomas Tobé MEP (Moderate Party, Sweden) advocate for the creation of a new ‘European Security Pact’ with actions to tackle organised crime, violence against women, and threats to cybersecurity.
One of the greatest strengths of Europe is the freedom to move across borders without barriers. This freedom of movement has brought prosperity, opportunity, and cooperation, and is at the heart of the EU. But like everything that is valuable, it needs to be protected. Right now, criminal networks are exploiting this freedom to spread violence, trafficking, and money laundering across our continent.
While national governments are responsible for protecting their citizens, today’s threats are too complex to be tackled alone. There is a lot that member states, like Ireland, can work together on, alongside the EU. We need a united European response.
Security is our top priority. Freedom of movement should never be a free pass for criminals. Europe is for citizens, not criminals.
That is why we are calling for a bold European Security Pact and creating an EU Security Strategy to guide all new initiatives. We must act decisively to protect our citizens, preserve our way of life, and uphold Europe’s core values. Law-abiding citizens should not have to live in fear. Without security, there is no freedom.
Our plan focuses on five key areas to combat crime:
1. Free movement for citizens, not criminals
Our Union is for citizens, not criminals. If you commit serious crimes, you should face consequences. The EPP Group calls for legal measures to restrict the movement of criminal gang members, including entry bans and visa restrictions. Over 70 per cent of criminal networks operate across borders. An Garda Síochána and other European national security forces are at the coalface and deserve more support and powers to keep people safe. Freedom of movement is a cherished EU value, but those who wish to harm others must not be allowed to use freedom of movement to continue their criminal activities.
To safeguard our citizens and better support our police forces, we are also calling for the strict enforcement of anti-money laundering laws and expanded powers to seize criminal assets.
2. Zero tolerance for violence against women and children
The violence faced by women and children across Europe is simply unacceptable. One-in-five children will experience sexual violence, and one in three women will suffer violence in her lifetime. This must stop.
It is essential to finalise the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse and guarantee its full enforcement. We must ensure the new EU Directive on Combatting Violence Against Women is urgently and fully implemented. We will ramp up efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks, prioritising the protection of vulnerable women and children. Additionally, we will tackle cyberbullying and online child abuse, ensuring that the digital world is not a haven for criminals.
3. Fighting criminal gangs and terrorism
Criminal gangs and terrorist groups are increasingly skilled at operating across external borders, making it harder for national law enforcement to combat them. That is why we need a more powerful Europol and effective external border management, fully equipped to combat these threats and protect our citizens.
We call for the doubling of Europol’s workforce and tripling EU external border security staff with full enforcement powers, in line with EU fundamental rights. Tackling the illegal trade in firearms, which fuels gang violence, will also be a key priority.
As an island nation, Ireland faces unique challenges. Security staff at Irish ports and airports play a vital role in keeping Europe safe. The EU should also engage with the UK to boost cooperation around international security and tackling cross-border crime.
“We are advocating for the creation of a European Cyber Brigade to fight cybercrime and disinformation campaigns…”
4. Strengthening the security of our infrastructure and cyberspace
Ireland hosts some of the most important digital technology firms in Europe. As digital threats grow exponentially, European law enforcement must evolve. We are advocating for the creation of a European Cyber Brigade to fight cybercrime and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising our societies. This should include a vital role for Ireland’s National Cybersecurity Centre, working alongside its EU counterparts.
We must also safeguard Europe’s critical infrastructure, such as energy grids and undersea cables, against both physical and cyber-attacks. Ireland has one of the largest marine territories in the EU. A unified European response is essential to support and enhance efforts to counter state-sponsored hybrid attacks.
5. Defending our democracies from foreign interference
Foreign powers are waging cyber and disinformation attacks to manipulate public opinion and weaken our democracies. To fight back, we must fully enforce the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act to protect our democracies in the digital space. Our commitment to upholding our core European values is unwavering. That is why we have launched the Democracy Shield Committee in the European Parliament to protect our democratic integrity from those who seek to destroy it.
We must act decisively to protect our citizens, uphold our freedoms, and ensure that Europe remains a place of security and opportunity, now and for future generations.
