Exchange of information on movements of groups

European Union wishes to ensure police cooperation at events attended by large numbers of people from several Member States. Police action is aimed primarily at preserving law and order and security and at preventing crime.

ACT

Joint Action 97/339/JHA of 26 May 1997, adopted by the Council on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, with regard to cooperation on law and order and security.

SUMMARY

The Member States will provide the other Member States concerned with information, upon request or unsolicited, via central bodies, if large groups which might pose a threat to law and order and security are travelling to another Member State to participate in events. The information is supplied at the earliest possible stage to all the Member States concerned, whether or not they are neighbours, including those through which the groups will transit.

The information should include full details about:

• the group in question;
• the proposed route and stopping places;
• the means of transport;
• any other relevant information;
• the reliability of the information.

The information provided will be supplied in compliance with national law.

Member States may temporarily second liaison officers to other Member States that so request. Their role will be to provide advice and assistance. They will have no powers and will not be armed. They will provide information and carry out their duties in accordance with instructions from their own Member State and guidelines from the Member State to which they are seconded. The host Member State will ensure that liaison officers are protected.

The competent authorities of the host Member State determine the activities of the liaison officers, who must follow the guidelines of these authorities.

The following arrangements have been made to promote cooperation between the competent central bodies of the Member States:

• each spring, the Presidency will organise a meeting of the heads of the central bodies concerned with law and order and security to discuss matters of common interest;
• information about these central bodies will be updated each spring via the Presidency. The central bodies will notify each other of any changes that have taken place;
• in the interests of improving knowledge of their organisations, the heads of the central bodies will encourage exercises, exchanges and training placements for their staff.

RELATED ACTS

Initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a view to the adoption of a Council Decision on strengthening cross-border police cooperation with regard to meetings attended by large numbers of people from more than one Member State, at which policing is primarily aimed at maintaining law and order and security and preventing and combating criminal offences [Official Journal C 101 of 27.04.2005]. When maintaining law and order and security and when preventing and combating criminal offences at meetings attended by large numbers of people, police forces in the Member States of the Union are increasingly confronted with participants coming from another Member State. The Union wishes to introduce closer cooperation between police in order to provide citizens with a high level of safety by means of:

• planning: in the last quarter of each calendar year the Presidency of the Council is to present an overview of the international assistance expected to be required in the following calendar year;
• review: every year, before 31 January, the Presidency of the Council is to make a review of international assistance provided during the past year;
• background research: the General Secretariat of the Council is to assist the Member States by researching existing agreements on cross-border assistance and, within one year at the latest, is to discuss whether the main difficulties observed can be resolved by adapting the relevant European legislation.

Procedure:

Consultation procedure (CNS/2005/0804).

Last updated: 13.10.2005