Hongaars voorzitterschap wil meer aandacht voor Europese Politie-academie (en)

“Combating organised crime is one of the Hungarian EU Presidency’s highest priorities; and Hungary advocates cross-border law enforcement based on common thinking and practical measures,” Minister of the Interior, Sándor Pintér, told in the opening session of the European Police College’s (CEPOL) meeting in Budapest, on 9-10 March.

Common thinking and practical measures are the token of success for the European Police College, the Minister remarked. That explains the Presidency’s commitment to supporting and promoting the revival of an institution designed to offer instruction about cooperation among European law enforcement organs.

In this context, the Governing Board, which approves recommendations based on an evaluation of the past five years of CEPOL activities, may play a key role. The Hungarian Presidency would like to secure support for these recommendations at a high level conference, which is to be held in Brussels on 18 May. Important topics of the meeting in Budapest include the evaluation of the CEPOL strategy adopted last year; and the newly launched quality assurance system.

At the meeting on 9-10 March, the CEPOL Secretariat is to give an overview of a recommendation for a police exchange program for 2011, which calls for an internal re-allocation to secure program funding. The recommendation will have to gain approval from the Governing Board.

At the opening session, the Minster recalled that EU ministers of the interior applauded the Hungarian Presidency’s priorities at their infromal meeting, in Gödöllo in January. The EU’s 2011 activities focus on citizens’ improved security and safe future. Concerning internal and justice policy, Sándor Pintér stressed the significance of the Stockholm Program; and the EU Internal Security Strategy, both of which attach appropriate importance to the fight against organised crime.