Initiative of the Kingdom of Spain on the setting up of a network of contact points of national authorities responsible for private security

(2002/C 42/09)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular to Articles 29, 30(1)(a) and 34(2)(c) thereof,

Having regard to the initiative of the Kingdom of Spain,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) The seminars of private security experts held in Madrid on 13 to 17 November 2000 and in Brussels on 6 and 7 September 2001 submitted their conclusions.

(2) Common requirements need to be established in Member States regarding the authorisation and supervision of the supply of private security services by natural and legal persons acting in the territory of the European Union.

(3) Cooperation and coordination should be facilitated between the various national bodies responsible for supervising and controlling private security, so as to improve all aspects which are part of the operation of the private security sector.

(4) There is a need to unify those aspects which, without affecting the peculiarities of each Member State, would allow the parties involved in that sector of activity to extend their business interests to any Member State,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

A network of contact points of national authorities responsible for private security, hereinafter known as "the network", is hereby created.

The network shall be chaired by the national authority responsible for private security of the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council.

The network shall be assisted by the Secretariat of the Council.

Article 2

The network shall consist of contact points designated by each Member State, with competence for authorising, supervising and sanctioning private security activities.

Candidate countries for accession to the European Union may also designate a contact point.

Article 3

In addition to furthering cooperation and collaboration between national authorities responsible for private security, the network shall have the following objectives:

(a) facilitating the coordination and cooperation between the various national bodies responsible for the private security sector;

(b) exchanging information on the models for regulating private security in each Member State and in the candidate countries;

(c) establishing best practices, and in the long term, examining the possibility of approximating the models and best practices.

Article 4

In order to achieve the proposed objectives, an Internet site shall be set up and be kept constantly up to date, which will permit:

(a) access to all the legislation of Member States and candidate countries on private security;

(b) a permanent contact between the national authorities responsible for private security;

(c) exchanges of experience on the efficiency of security systems, alarm centres; transport and deposit of funds, works of art, etc;

(d) knowledge of the companies operating in the sector, their particulars, activities, geographical area of activity, and staff training.

Article 5

1. The national authorities responsible for private security integrated into the network may hold a meeting at least once a year, and shall submit a report on the outcome of the meetings to the Council.

2. The network shall be financed [...].

Article 6

The Council shall carry out an evaluation of the network's activities two years after this Decision takes effect.

Article 7

This Decision shall take effect on the day following that of its adoption by the Council.

Done at ...

For the Council

The President

...