92001E2539

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2539/01

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Council

(20 September 2001)

Subject: Creation and staffing of police operations planning unit

During the Swedish Presidency a decision was taken to create a separate police operations planning unit (POPU) within the Council Secretariat, and general guidelines were agreed concerning the selection, training and personal equipping of the police officers.

1. What are the Council's proposals, under the current Belgian Presidency, for completing the formation of the POPU?

2. Which specific criteria does the Council intend to lay down for the staffing and equipping of police officers to be included in the unit?

3. In what form is the Council considering participation by third countries in the POPU and, similarly, how will it ensure that the EU retains independent decision-making powers?

4. What preconditions and criteria does the Council intend to apply to the participation of third countries in the POPU?

Reply

(25/26 March 2002)

1. On 1 July 2001 a Police Unit was established in the Council Secretariat by the Secretary-General/High Representative as part of the politico-military structures. Its mission is to give the EU the ability to plan and conduct police operations. It consists at present of seven senior officers. Two are EU officials selected by competition, five are national experts on secondment from Member States and/or under exchange schemes. All are fully qualified policemen with international experience. The unit can be reinforced in times of crisis with experts from Member States.

2. The Unit's priorities include:

- the Ministerial Police Commitment Conference;

- developing and implementing the Police Action Plan approved at Göteborg;

- iaising with the OSCE about possible EU involvement in the police aspects of the Framework Agreement in FYROM. Until recently, a member of the Police Unit was seconded to the EUSR in Skopje.

3. There is no question of third countries participating in the Police Unit any more than in any other part of the Council Secretariat. Cooperation with third countries and international organisations, notably the UN and OSCE along with their possible participation in EU police operations is another matter and is being developed as part of the EU's development of its police capability.