handbook for border guards to better target border checks and to promote the full use of
the SIS and the SLTD.
Member States bear responsibility for the entire Union when they control their part of the
external borders. This is why common risk indicators should support the work of
national border authorities when conducting checks on persons. On the basis of
contributions from Member States, the Commission will finalise a first set of common
risk indicators, in respect of foreign terrorist fighters, in the first half of 2015. Europol
and Frontex will play a key role in the future maintenance of these risk indicators. The
Commission will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Schengen Border Code,
and examine any emerging need for improvements.
Common high standards of border management, in full respect of the rule of law and of
fundamental rights, are essential to preventing cross-border crime and terrorism. The
European Agenda on Migration will further address border management. The revised
proposal on Smart Borders which the Commission intends to present by the beginning of
2016 will help increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Complementary measures to improve security in relation to the movement of goods also
contribute to tackle illegal activities at the border, such as trafficking of weapons, illicit
drug and cigarette smuggling or illegal currency transfers. The Customs Advance Cargo
Information System provides customs authorities with advance notification for security
risk assessment of cargo arriving into and departing from the EU. This system should be
fully exploited by ensuring effective sharing of information between customs and with
other law enforcement authorities. The Anti-Fraud Information System (AFIS) provides a
crucial platform for exchange of customs anti-fraud information supporting customs law
enforcement to fight cross border crime.13
The Prüm framework14 is another example of an information exchange tool at EU level
that is yet to be used to its full potential. It can offer automated comparison of DNA
profiles, fingerprint data and vehicle registration data – which are key to detecting crime
and building an effective case. The system is falling short of its potential because at this
stage only a limited number of Member States have implemented their legal obligations
and integrated the network with their own systems. This impedes the overall
effectiveness of the Prüm framework in catching and prosecuting criminals. Member
States have received significant financial and technical support for implementation. The
Commission will treat this area as a priority in using its powers to ensure the correct
implementation of EU law.
Of course, legal implementation of EU instruments at national level is not enough. The
tools of the EU security framework will only take full effect when national law
enforcement agencies feel confident in existing instruments and share information
readily. The proposal for a new legal basis for Europol,15 currently before the colegislators, seeks to enhance Europol's analytical capabilities, trigger operational action
on the part of Member States, and reinforce the agency's data protection regime. Member
States should use Europol as their channel of first choice for law enforcement
information sharing across the EU. Europol's Secure Information Exchange Network
Application (SIENA) allows Member States to exchange information in a swift, secure
13
14
15
AFIS is run by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23.6.2008 and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA of 23.6.2008.
COM(2013) 173 final of 27.3.2013. Part of the proposal was replaced by the proposal for a Regulation
establishing a European Union agency for law enforcement training Cepol (COM(2014) 465 final of 16.7.2014).
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