< p>Issues concerning policing in the countries of the European Union were discussed by a delegation of Cypriot MPs who took part in the work of the 11th meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Control Group of Europol (MOKE Europol) which concluded on Tuesday in Brussels, according to a press release from the Parliament of Representatives.
Cyprus was represented by Nicosia MP Dimitris Dimitriou (DISY) and Paphos MPs Ilias Myrianthous (EDEK) and Chrysanthos Savvidis (DIKO).
In his intervention during a discussion in relation to issues of competence of MOKE Europol as they arise from the revision of its Regulations, Mr. Savvidis referred to the very difficult task that has been achieved through the revision of its Regulations in order to, on the one hand, comply with the balance between the collection of information by police authorities to investigate and fight crime and, on the one hand, the need to protect human rights.
Mr. Savvidis also referred to illegal immigration and its instrumentalization in Cyprus by Turkey and at the same time emphasized the need for Europol to cooperate with member states, third countries, private bodies, the institutions and other bodies of the European Union.
In conclusion, the MP expressed his concern as to whether the different legal systems of the member states affect in any way the application of the revised article 6 of the Europol Regulation, which enables the Executive Director to propose to the competent authorities of the relevant member state initiating, conducting or coordinating a criminal investigation.
In his intervention on the same subject, Mr. Dimitriou stated that the provision of additional tools and powers to Europol requires the strengthening of its democratic oversight and accountability, and in this context the possibilities offered for the exercise of parliamentary control.
He added that the Europol MOCE should take advantage of the possibility of drawing up summary conclusions and non-binding specific recommendations to Europol and that the establishment of the Consultative Forum on matters of protection of fundamental rights should be promoted immediately, as foreseen in the revised Regulation.
Commenting on a related report in Cyprus by the Deputy Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic, Mr. Dimitriou expressed his thanks to Mr. Radek Kaňa for the constructive stance taken by the Czech presidency with regard to the compromise proposal he submitted in the text of the proposed Regulation for dealing with situations instrumentalization in the field of immigration and asylum.
Mr. Dimitriou particularly pointed out that the text in question recognizes Turkey's provocative practices towards Cyprus and that the issue is European and not purely Cypriot.
In his intervention, Mr. Myrianthous requested information from Europol as to whether investigations have been carried out into the action of Non-Governmental Organizations active in the field of combating illegal immigration. During a discussion on the impact of the war in Ukraine in the field of security, Mr. Myrianthous underlined the fact that the war in Ukraine highlighted the interconnectedness of the external crisis and its effects on the internal security of the member states of the European Union.< /p>
He also pointed out that hybrid threats should be dealt with immediately and effectively since otherwise Europe will face a serious risk to its internal and external security. In particular, the Member of Parliament referred to the ever-increasing “Turkish rhetoric” against Greece and Cyprus and the illegal immigration flows that are methodically channeled from Turkey to the Republic of Cyprus through the occupied territories.
Mr. Myrianthous also underlined the need to emphasize the further specialization of Europol's staff in matters of hybrid threats, but also in general the technological reinforcement of the Organization in these areas.
Furthermore, the Cypriot Member of Parliament raised question whether the war in Ukraine will lead to a review of the actions of Europol and the SOCTA report due to the dramatic increase in the risks arising from terrorism, the flight of billions of illegal funds from Russia mainly through Turkey since the latter does not implement European sanctions, trafficking in persons, sexual abuse of minors and arms trafficking.
Concluding, Mr. Myrianthous underlined that the war in Ukraine demonstrated that the security of the member states of the European Union mainly requires practical solidarity in a spirit of honesty, consistency and increased cooperation between the member states, the institutions and other bodies of the Euro Paic Union.
