Second Annual Report of the European network for the protection of public figures - Hoofdinhoud

COUNCIL OF Brussels, 28 July 2005 THE EUROPEAN UNION

11578/05

ENFOPOL 101

NOTE from : The Netherlands Delegation to : Police Cooperation Working Party

No. prev. doc. : 10858/04 ENFOPOL 84

Subject : Second Annual Report of the European network for the protection of public figures

Introduction

The second meeting of the European Network for the protection of public figures ENPPF was held in The Hague on 28 April 2005 at the premises of Europol.

A detailed report of this meeting is set out in the addendum (ADD 1) to this document.

Useful discussions were held and – in accordance with the recommendations from last year’s report to the Police Cooperation Working Party (document 10858/04 ENFOPOL 84) - the Network updated the list of established contact points, developed and adopted a handbook, included a checklist for Visiting and Receiving Parties, set up an ad hoc task force on secured communication and agreed to take up the issue of ‘special equipment’ as an activity for the near future.

Proposal

The Police Cooperation Working Party is invited to:

• - 

  take note of the progress of the activities and the conclusions of the second meeting of the

European Network for the protection of public figures that was held in The Hague on 28 April

2005.

• - 

  encourage the further development of a relevant working programme mentioned in the first

annual report (see document 10858/04 ENFOPOL, chapter 2, paragraphs d and e)

• - 

  support the activities of the Network for 2005/2006
• - 

  use the report of the second meeting of the Network for the next annual report to the Council

pursuant to Article 5 of Council Decision 2002/956 i/JHA of 28 November 2002 setting up a

European Network for the Protection of Public Figures (published in OJ L 333 of 10.12.2002,

• p. 

  1).

ANNEX

CONCLUSIONS

PPF Handbook

• 1) 

  The format and content of the Handbook (version 1.2) were adopted on the understanding that

  each Member is responsible for the national content.

List of contact points

• 2) 

  The meeting provided an updated list of contacts and stressed the importance that data reflect

  the service level and the persons with direct responsibilities in PPF

Secured communication

• 3) 

  On the issue of secured ways to exchange information for the purpose of internal Network

  communication - not being operational communication - the meeting agreed that the security level of ‘restricted’ (UE restreint) should be applicable.

• 4) 

  An ad hoc task force was established for the purpose of taking stock of existing possibilities and

  further analysing this issue, to come up with a practical proposal. Membership is open to all; Belgium, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands already expressed their willingness to participate.

Checklists for preparing visits

• 5) 

  Concerning checklists on visiting and receiving parties, the meeting agreed that the following

  aspects should be taken into consideration:

  • i) 

    The checklist should be used as a format for preliminary and operational information

    exchange in preparations for VIP visits; they will not replace existing, formal channels.

• ii) 

  The list reflects a wide range of information but should be filled in and used according to

  practical circumstances; items marked with an asterisk indicate highly desirable information; other items are optional.

  • iii) 

    Use of the checklist depends on the security of the operational communication system

    between the two services, as used in the Member States.

• iv) 

  Apart from using it in and by one’s own service department, use by other services within

  the EU member states should be encouraged by the national contact points; the use by non-EU countries may also be promoted.

• 6) 

  The final version (so far) of the checklist will be annexed to the Handbook.

• 7) 

  The checklist will be assessed in future and possibly reviewed, based on practical use and the

  experience of the members.

Promoting and chairing the Network

• 8) 

  In particular, the members representing The Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom

  and Austria agreed that the Chair of the Network shall (as from now) be held by (the representative of) the outgoing EU Presidency under the auspices of the incoming EU Presidency, based on Article 3(1) of Council Decision 2002/956 i/JHA Chairing the Network includes responsibility for all current affairs and administrative matters. Luxembourg took over the Chair from the Netherlands on 1 July 2005.

• 9) 

  The next issue to be taken up in the working programme for 2005 will be the availability and

  use of special equipment for PPF in the Member States.

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