WRITTEN QUESTION E-1843/99 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Rising crime on the Costa del Sol (Andalusia, Spain).
Date: 1999-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Andalusia, EU police cooperation, Europol, Spain, organised crime

C 203 E/64

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

If during this three-year period the former member takes up new gainful employment, the gross
monthly salary (ie before deduction of tax) received from the new employment will be deducted from
the allowance,
in as far as this income, added with this allowance, exceeds the amount (before
deduction of tax) that the former member received whilst in office. All forms of remuneration received
from new employment have to be taken into account, except those representing reimbursement of
expenses.

2.

No such payment was made.

(1) OJ 187, 8.8.1967.

(2000/C 203 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1843/99

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Rising crime on the Costa del Sol (Andalusia, Spain)

(13 October 1999)

In the last few months there has been a sharp rise in crime on the Costa del Sol as a result of the activities
of highly organised criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, the white slave trade,
etc.

What measures could the Commission take, given that the Treaty of Amsterdam establishes a fresh
common policy in an area of freedom, security and justice?

Is Europol responding to this alarming rise in crime, by stepping up its efforts to combat crime on the
Costa del Sol?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1999)

The Spanish authorities have identified 170 groups of organised criminals with a total of approximately
5 200 members operating on their territory. Most of these groups are located on the Mediterranean coast,
and organised criminals use the shipping facilities to set up illegal international traffic. More specifically,
the Spanish coast attracts a huge yachting set from all over the world and several million tourists each
year.

Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam,
lays down the
provisions on police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters with the objective to provide citizens
with a high level of safety within an area of freedom, justice and security through the development of
common action among Member States in the fields of police and judicial co-operation. The Commission is
fully associated with the work in these areas. The action plan of the Council and the Commission on how
best to implement the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam concerning an area of freedom, security and
justice (1), adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 3 December 1998 in Vienna, provides for a
comprehensive and detailed package of measures over two and five-year periods.

The abovementioned action plan comprises also various measures to be taken in the field of police co-
operation. As far as the Costa del Sol region is concerned, it is up to the Spanish authorities to transmit
the relevant operational data on such criminal organisations to Europol and to ask Europol for further
analysis. Basing itself on the appropriate intelligence and analytical results, and following the provisions of
Article 30 (ex Article K.2) of the Treaty on European Union, Europol will have, in the future, the authority
to initiate concrete investigations on the spot and to create joint investigative teams.

(1) OJ C 19, 23.1.1999.