COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL The EU Internal Security Strategy in Action: Five steps towards a more secure Europe 1. THE EUROPEAN SECURITY MODEL: WORKING TOGETHER FOR A MORE SECURE EUROPE Most Europeans are able to go about their daily lives in relative safety. At the same time, our societies are facing serious security threats that are growing in scale and sophistication. Many of today's security challenges are cross-border and cross-sectoral in nature. No single Member State is able to respond to these threats on its own. This is something that worries our citizens and businesses. Four out of five Europeans want more action at EU level against organised crime and terrorism1. Much has been achieved to respond to those emerging threats and to increase Europe’s security. With the Lisbon Treaty2 in force, and with the guidance provided by the Stockholm Programme and its Action Plan3, the EU now has the opportunity to take further determined action. The Internal Security Strategy, adopted in early 2010 under the Spanish Presidency4, set out the challenges, principles and guidelines for how to deal with these issues within the EU and called on the Commission to propose actions for implementing the strategy. This communication – the EU Internal Security Strategy in Action - therefore builds on what Member States and EU institutions have already agreed, and proposes how we over the next four years can work together to be more effective in fighting and preventing serious and organised crime, terrorism and cybercrime, in strengthening the management of our external borders and in building resilience to natural and man-made disasters. A shared agenda for common challenges The EU's role in our internal security consists of common policies, legislation and practical cooperation in the areas of police and judicial cooperation, border management, and crisis management. In striving to reach our security objectives, the contribution from both EU internal and external policies is crucial. The EU Internal Security Strategy in Action therefore puts forward a shared agenda for Member States, the European Parliament, the Commission, the Council and agencies and others, including civil society and local authorities. This agenda should be supported by a solid EU security industry in which manufacturers and service providers work closely 1 2 3 4 EN Standard Eurobarometer 71. Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The Stockholm Programme: An Open and Secure Europe Serving and Protecting the Citizens (Council Document 17024/09); Delivering an area of freedom, security and justice: Action plan implementing the Stockholm Programme - COM(2010) 171. The Stockholm Programme is the EU's programme for justice and home affairs for the period 2010-14. Council Document, 5842/2/2010, Internal Security Strategy for the European Union: Towards a European Security Model. 2 EN