Europol Drugs Unit

I welcome the fact that this issue has come within the remit of the Europol drugs unit.

The Danish Social Democrats have today voted for the annual report of the Europol Drugs Unit.

In view of the increase in international organised crime in fields such as drugs, it is very important that the Europol Drugs Unit should operate effectively.

Indeed a major international crime conference in Dublin this week highlighted the very serious difficulties drug squad officers from European countries have in dealing with the Europol drugs unit in the Hague.

Delays in ratifying the Maastricht Treaty led to TREVI ministers agreeing a "Ministerial Agreement on the Europol Drugs Unit" in June 1993.

In the meantime, the Europol Drugs Unit (EDU) had its powers extended twice, in March 1995 and again in December 1996 to included a range of trafficking offences in its remit.

Finally, it is clear that an improvement in police and judicial cooperation is required and the Commission welcomes the rapid response of the Irish presidency with the announcement yesterday of a proposal to extend the mandate of the Europol drugs unit to trafficking in human beings.

We also consider that the joint action decided by the Council on 26 and 27 September 1996, which aims to extend the competence of the Europol Drugs Unit to the prevention of the trade in human beings, the prevention of paedophile rings and child prostitution, is fundamental.

Firstly, a proposal by the Irish presidency to have trafficking in human beings included in the remit of the Europol drugs unit. Secondly, a Belgian proposal for a programme to encourage exchanges and training for persons in charge of measures to counter trafficking in human beings.