Poland’s EU Presidency Sets Priorities on Combating Cross-Border Crime and Strengthening Security

Poland’s EU Presidency Sets Priorities on Combating Cross-Border Crime and Strengthening Security

(IN BRIEF) During its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Poland will focus on combating cross-border crime, hybrid threats, terrorism, and radicalisation. Priorities include addressing the trafficking of illicit drugs, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling, as well as protecting minors from exploitation. Poland will also work to ensure accountability for war crimes in Ukraine and strengthen internal security within the EU. A key initiative is the European Judicial Organised Crime Network (EJOCN), which will be launched in September 2024 to target large-scale criminal organisations. The Presidency will also focus on cybercrime, particularly the protection of minors from online abuse, and research into artificial intelligence’s role in criminal justice.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 14-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Under its leadership of the Council of the European Union, Poland’s Presidency will focus on tackling major cross-border criminal activity, including organised crime, hybrid threats, terrorism, and radicalisation. A key priority is combating the trafficking of illicit drugs, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling, as well as safeguarding minors from exploitation and sexual abuse. Poland will also work to ensure accountability for alleged international crimes committed in Ukraine. The Polish Presidency officially began on 1 January 2025.

Mr Paweł Wąsik, National Member for Poland at Eurojust, commented on the country’s priorities for justice and security, expressing his honor in beginning his term at the start of Poland’s EU Presidency. He highlighted the ongoing war in Ukraine and Poland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s security and justice sectors, with an emphasis on fostering greater coordination in the crisis response. “Poland is dedicated to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights across Europe,” Wąsik stated.

The Polish Presidency will place particular focus on combating organised crime, especially drug trafficking. This is aligned with the upcoming launch of the European Judicial Organised Crime Network (EJOCN) in September 2024, hosted by Eurojust. This network will connect specialised prosecutors to tackle large-scale, global criminal organisations, and Poland’s leadership will build on the groundwork already laid during the network’s development.

In addition to criminal activities, Poland’s Presidency will address migrant smuggling and human trafficking, reinforcing efforts to strengthen EU internal security. Part of this work will focus on securing the borders with Belarus to prevent unauthorised entry, transit, and residence.

Poland will continue to support the accountability process for alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine, having been one of the founding countries of the joint investigation team (JIT) into these crimes, which was established in March 2022. Poland, along with Lithuania and Ukraine, has worked to ensure that those responsible for atrocities are held accountable.

In the field of cybercrime, the Polish Presidency will focus on protecting minors from online exploitation and sexual abuse. Additionally, Poland will advocate for research into the role of artificial intelligence in criminal matters, aiming to understand its potential implications on justice and security.

Media Contact:

Eurojust Press Team
Phone: + 31 70 412 55 00
media@eurojust.europa.eu

SOURCE: EUROJUST