A European Security Pact to protect our citizens

Europe’s freedoms must never become a free pass for criminals; a united European Security Pact is essential to safeguard citizens, strengthen law enforcement, and protect our democracies. This call for decisive action comes from Manfred Weber and Thomas Tobé.

One of the greatest strengths of Europe is the freedom to move across borders without barriers. But criminal networks are exploiting this freedom to spread violence, trafficking, and money laundering across our continent.

As the EPP Group, we are determined to stop criminals from exploiting Europe’s freedoms. Security is our top priority. Freedom of movement should never be a free pass for criminals. Europe is for citizens, not criminals.

While national governments are responsible for protecting their citizens, today’s threats are too complex to be tackled alone. We need a united European response.

That is why the EPP Group is calling for a bold European Security Pact - integrating security into EU Law and creating an EU Security Strategy to guide all initiatives. We must act decisively to protect our citizens, preserve our way of life, and uphold Europe's core values. Without security, there is no freedom.

Now is the time to act. Our plan focuses on five key areas to combat crime.

1) Schengen is for citizens, not criminals.

The EPP Group calls for restricting EU freedom of movement for gang criminals, as over 70% of criminal networks operate across borders. Our Union is for citizens, not criminals.

We will fight for legal measures to restrict the movement of gang criminals, including entry bans and visa restrictions. Those who wish to harm others must not be allowed to use Schengen to continue their criminal activities.

To safeguard our citizens, the EPP Group also calls for the strict enforcement of anti-money laundering laws and expanded powers to seize criminal assets.

2) Zero tolerance of violence against women and children.

The violence faced by women and children across Europe is simply unacceptable. One in five children will experience sexual violence, and one in three women will suffer violence in her lifetime. This must stop.

The EPP Group will fight to finalise the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse and guarantee its full enforcement. We will ramp up efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks, prioritising the protection of vulnerable women and children. Additionally, we will tackle cyberbullying and online child abuse, ensuring that the digital world is not a safe haven for criminals.

3) Fighting criminal gangs and terrorism

Criminal gangs and terrorist groups are increasingly skilled at operating across borders, making it harder for national law enforcement to combat them. That is why we need a more powerful Europol and Frontex, fully equipped to combat these threats and protect our citizens.

The EPP Group calls for doubling Europol’s workforce and tripling Frontex’s staff with full enforcement powers. We will push for a stronger role for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Eurojust to prosecute cross-border criminal activity. Tackling the illegal trade in firearms, which fuels gang violence, will also be a key priority.

4) Strengthening the security of our infrastructure and cyberspace

As digital threats grow exponentially, European law enforcement must evolve. The EPP Group advocates for the creation of a European Cyber Brigade to fight cybercrime and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising our societies.

We must also safeguard Europe’s critical infrastructure, such as energy grids and submarine cables, against both physical and cyber-attacks. A unified European response is essential to counter state-sponsored hybrid attacks.

5) Defending our democracies from foreign interference

Foreign powers are waging cyber and disinformation attacks to manipulate public opinion and weaken our democracies. To fight back, the EPP Group will fully enforce the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act to protect our democracies in the digital space.

Our commitment to upholding our core European values is unwavering. That is why we have launched the Democracy Shield Committee in the European Parliament to protect our democratic integrity from those who seek to destroy it.

We must act decisively to protect our citizens, uphold our freedoms, and ensure that Europe remains a place of security and opportunity, now and for future generations.

The EPP Group is ready to lead the way.

Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group

Thomas Tobé, Vice-chair of the EPP Group

Disclaimer – All opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of EXPERT EUROPE™ or its editorial team.