On 25-26 February, EU Ministers responsible for the Justice and Home Affairs portfolios adopted the new Internal Security Strategy, set up the Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security (COSI) and debated the EU accession to the Council of Europe's Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

EU Internal Security Strategy

Ministers approved, after a public debate, an Internal Security Strategy for the European Union. The strategy's main objectives include:

• presenting to the public the existing EU instruments that already help to guarantee the security and freedom of EU citizens;
• developing common tools and policies using a more integrated approach which addresses the causes of insecurity and not just the effects;
• strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation, border management, civil protection and disaster management.

The strategy outlines a European security model, which integrates among others action on law enforcement and judicial cooperation, border management and civil protection, with due respect for shared European values, such as fundamental rights. It identifies the main threats and challenges the EU is facing, including terrorism, organised crime, cyber-crime, drug and arms trafficking, trafficking in human beings, sexual exploitation of minors and child pornography, economic crime and corruption and youth violence.

Setting up of the Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security (COSI)

The Council decided to set up the Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security (COSI). Ministers exchanged views on the scope of the Committee, i.e. ensuring that operational cooperation on internal security is promoted and strengthened within the EU. 

The coordination role of COSI will concern, among other things, police and customs cooperation, external border protection and judicial cooperation in criminal matters relevant to operational cooperation in the field of internal security.

EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

In a public debate, the Council examined the work carried out so far on the EU's accession to the Council of Europe's European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), i.e. the international treaty that established a system of international protection for human rights, offering individuals the possibility of applying to the courts for the enforcement of their rights (text of the Convention is available for download here).

The EU accession to the ECHR is called for in the Stockholm Programme, i.e. the EU programme which will guide EU action in the area of freedom, security and justice for the period 2010-2014, and is considered of key importance as it will reinforce the obligation of the Union to ensure that in all its areas of its activity, fundamental rights are actively promoted.

Discussions highlighted a number of issues which will have to be addressed, including:

• the scope of the EU accession to the ECHR system, i.e. whether the EU shall accede not only to the Convention as such , but also to its additional protocols;
• the most appropriate manner to ensure that the accession complies with conditions set in the Treaty of Lisbon;
• the advisability to devise a "co-respondent" mechanism, ensuring that in certain cases both the EU and the member state concerned may be parties in any proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights;
• the representation of the EU in the Council of Europe bodies which exercise functions related to the ECHR;
• the relations between the Court of Justice of the EU and the European Court of Human Rights.

For more information, please check the Council conclusions here.

Next meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council:

22-23 April

3-4 June