6th Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on the European Union Agency for
Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)
Contribution by the Cyprus delegation
We wish to express our satisfaction over the possibility that has been given to
delegations to exchange information and views through electronic means, thus
ensuring the continuation of the JPSG’s
substantial work. This proves to be even
more urgent, in the face of increased security risks, at the impact of the Covid-19
pandemic, which require commensurate responses, but also enhanced democratic
oversight of enforcement authorities. Hopefully, we can return to normality the
soonest possible.
We very much welcome Europol’s
reports issued during the pandemic, which
concern the impact of Covid-19 on the criminal landscape.
We were also very glad to see the written report concerning the Innovation Lab that
we very much hope can soon deliver on its aims.
We would wish to get some more input regarding the following issues:
-Taking
into consideration Europol’s mandate to combat firearms smuggling
and its
experience with supporting EU military operations, but also its activity in combating
human smuggling and trafficking, will Europol have any participation in operation
EU NAVFORMED Irini?
-In view of a significant shortfall in
Europol’s budget
compared to the initial
estimate, as well as of unforeseen difficulties that may have arisen, as a result of the
pandemic, what are the initial thoughts of the Management Board regarding
deprioritization and adaptations to the Programming Document 2020-2022, and
specifically the Work Programme 2020, which were adopted?
-In 2019, Cyprus requested Europol’s support to control the increasing irregular
migrant flows into the country, which has proved to be very important in efforts to
identify persons with a terrorist background. We wish, however, to reiterate, once
again, that the overwhelming majority of irregular migrants arrive in Cyprus from
Turkey by sea or through the areas of the Republic of Cyprus under Turkish military
occupation and are victims of smuggling networks. In view of the Commission’s
new proposals regarding asylum and migration policy, what further role could
Europol assume, in cooperation with FRONTEX or national law enforcement
authorities, to disrupt migrant smuggling networks?