Three Cypriot MPs discussed issues related to policing in the European Union member states during the 11th meeting of the Europol Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (Europol JPSG) which concluded on Tuesday in Brussels, according to a statement issued by the House of Representatives.
Cyprus was represented by Nicosia MP Demetris Demetriou (DISY) and Pafos MPs Elias Myrianthous (EDEK) and Chrysanthos Savvides (DIKO).
During the discussion covering the competencies of Europol JPSG after the revision of its regulation, Savvides said that this was a very difficult task since it required a balance between the need for the police to collect information to investigate and fight crime and the need to protect human rights.
Savvides also referred to irregular immigration and its instrumentalisation by Turkey against Turkey, underlining the need for Europol to cooperate with member states, third countries, private bodies, institutions and other bodies of the European Union.
The MP also expressed concern as to whether the different legal systems of the Member States would affect the application of Article 6 of the revised Europol Regulation, which enables the Executive Director to propose initiating, conducting or coordinating a criminal investigation to the competent authorities of the Member State concerned.
In an intervention on the same subject, Demetriou said that the provision of additional tools and powers to Europol requires also support to its democratic oversight and accountability. In this context, he added, opportunities offered for parliamentary control should be used.
Demetriou also said that the Europol JPSG should take advantage of the option to draw up summary conclusions and non-binding special recommendations to Europol, and that the establishment of a consultative forum for matters of protection of fundamental rights should be promoted immediately, as per the revised Regulation.
Following up on a comment on Cyprus by the Czech Deputy Minister of the Interior, Demetriou thanked Radek Kaňa for the constructive stance taken by the Czech presidency regarding the compromise tabled on how to deal with instrumentalisation in the fields of immigration and asylum.
Demetriou particularly pointed out that the text in question recognizes Turkey’s provocative practices towards Cyprus and that the this is a European issue that does not only affect Cyprus.
In his intervention, Myrianthous requested Europol to provide information on whether there have been investigations into actions by NGOs involved with migration. During the discussion on the security impact of the war in Ukraine, Myrianthous underlined the fact that the war in Ukraine showed the displayed there are interconnections.
He also pointed out that hybrid threats must 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 to migratory flows that are methodically channeled from Turkey to the Republic of Cyprus through the Turkish occupied territories.
Myrianthous underlined also the need to emphasise the further specialisation of Europol’s staff regarding hybrid threats, as well as the technological upgrading of the organisation.
He also posed a question whether the war in Ukraine will force a review of Europol’s actions and the SOCTA report due to the dramatic increase in risks arising from terrorism, the flight of billions of illegal funds from Russia, mainly through Turkey since it does not apply European sanctions, as well as risks human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors and arms trafficking.
In conclusion, 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 member states, the institutions and other bodies of the European Union.
Source: Cyprus News Agency