Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Public-Private Dialogue in Security Research and Innovation {SEC(2007) 1138} {SEC(2007) 1139}
Date: 2007-09-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: innovation, public safety, public-private partnership, research, research and development

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 11.9.2007 
COM(2007) 511 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

on Public-Private Dialogue in Security Research and Innovation 

{SEC(2007) 1138} 
{SEC(2007) 1139} 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

on Public-Private Dialogue in Security Research and Innovation 

Introduction 

The  security  threats  facing  Europe  are  multifaceted,  interrelated,  complex  and  increasingly 
transnational  in  their  impact  and  in  that  internal  and  external  security  are  increasingly 
inseparable1. No single Member State can achieve security alone. Nearly nine in ten European 
Union (EU)  citizens  believe  that security questions should be  dealt with not  just at national 
but also at EU level2. In this context, one of Europe's main objectives is to preserve its values 
of open society and civil liberties while addressing the increased security threat. At the same 
time, Europe must secure its economy and its competitiveness against an increased threat of 
disruption  to  its  basic  economic  infrastructures,  including  industrial  assets  and  transport, 
energy and information networks. 

Implementing  an  efficient  policy  for  security  in  Europe  demands  a  comprehensive  set  of 
instruments  covering  law  enforcement,  intelligence,  judicial,  economic,  financial  and 
technological  aspects.  In  a  constantly  changing  and  increasingly  technological  world, 
guaranteeing security without the support of knowledge and technology is almost impossible. 
Security research and  innovation provide practical  measures and solutions to support  policy 
implementation. Novel security solutions should provide ways to increase the security of our 
citizens without imposing additional unnecessary burdens on their daily lives. 

Technology makes it easier to detect dangerous materials being traded. The same applies to 
border  controls,  to  prevent  illegal  immigrants,  traffickers  of  human  beings,  drug  traffickers 
and terrorists taking advantage of the fact that internal border controls have been lifted within 
the Schengen area. Innovative and sophisticated solutions and systems will help avoid fraud 
on identity documents, inter alia through biometrics in visas, passports, residence permits and 
other documents.  

The Commission has increased substantially the resources dedicated to security research and 
innovation. The 7th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development 
(FP7)  has  a  strong  security  theme  for  developing  the  technologies  needed  to  ensure  the 
security of citizens from threats such as terrorism and crime, natural disasters and industrial 
accidents, while respecting fundamental human rights and considering societal aspects. It will 
also  help  structure  and  coordinate  European  and  national  research  efforts.  The  Justice, 
Freedom and Security financial Framework programme "Security and safeguarding Liberties" 
is  concerned  with  operational  co-operation  and  policy  oriented  studies  in  the  field  of 
prevention and the fight against crime and terrorism. Public investment is fundamental for the 

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The Commission will further analyse the extent and the modalities how results of activities carried out 
under  this  Communication  can  help  and  complement  the  external  action  policies  and  relevant 
instruments. The Commission is currently preparing a Communication on better coordinating the EU's 
external assistance role in security. 
Special  Eurobarometer,  "The  role  of  the  European  Union  in  Justice,  Freedom  and  Security  policy 
areas", Fieldwork: June-July 2006, Publication: February 2007. 

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security  sector.  End  users  of  security  applications  and  technologies  will  often  be  the  public 
and  government  organisations.  The  public  sector  in  general  needs  to  be  more  actively 
involved in developing a structured and efficient security market. 

The  private  sector  also  has  an  important  role  to  play:  developing  appropriate  security 
capabilities  requires  a  strong  and  competitive  industrial  base,  which  itself  depends  on 
pinpointing the needs of customers for whom new products, systems and services are created. 
There  are  a  number  of  cross-cutting  policy  issues  that  need  to  be  addressed  with  a  view  to 
developing  such  a  competitive  industrial  base  and  meeting  the  security  needs  of  the  public 
sector  and  of  citizens.  This  includes  improving  the  way  systems  operate  together  and 
interconnect,  mainly  by  developing  common  standards,  exchanging  best  practice  and 
contributing  to  the  reflection  on  improving  procurement  processes,  coordinating  European 
and national security research programmes, promoting SME involvement in the supply chain, 
involving the end-user and formulating an international co-operation strategy. 

Developing  and  implementing  an  effective  security  research  strategy  therefore  requires  the 
participation of all relevant stakeholders in the private and the public sectors, both at national 
and European levels.  

In  this  context,  the  specific  policy  objectives  of  the  Private-Public  Dialogue  in  Security 
Research and Innovation are: 

–  to  bring  together  all  the  relevant  stakeholders  in  order  to  discuss  issues  of  cross-cutting, 
common concern, facilitate the assessment of their differentiated strengths and resources, 
identify areas for potential synergies; or joint programming;  

–  to  identify  proposals  for  forming  a  strategic  security  research  and  innovation  agenda, 
involving  national  and  European  stakeholders,  laying  out  a  shared  and  clear  view  of 
European security research needs and priorities; 

–  to share ideas, views and best practices in order to make better use of existing capabilities 
and to enhance the use of technology in security-related domains, e.g. by inter alia making 
the  best  possible  use  of  the  various  funding  instruments  in  the  present  financial 
programming period. 

The  Commission  expects  that  the  creation  of  a  forum  for  the  development  of  a  Public-
Private Dialogue  (PPD)  in the area  of  EU security research and innovation will be the 
key  instrument  for  achieving  these  objectives.  This  European  Security  Research  and 
Innovation Forum (hereinafter ESRIF) is intended to build on the work already done by the 
Group of Personalities3 and the European Security Research Advisory Board (ESRAB)4. 

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The  ‘Group  of  Personalities’  (GoP)  was  set  up  in  2003.  In  its  final  report  (Research  for  a  Secure 
Europe:  Report  of  the  Group  of  Personalities  in  the  field  of  Security  Research,  15  March  2004, 
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/security/doc/gop_en.pdf.), the GoP recommended the launch of a security 
research theme in FP7 with a minimum threshold of € 1 billion per annum as well as the creation of the 
‘European Security Research Advisory Board’ (ESRAB). 
The ESRAB Board was created by Commission Decision 2005/516/EC on 22 April 2005 and published 
its final report on 22 September 2006. It recommends that multidisciplinary mission-oriented research 
should  be  undertaken.  It  should  combine  end-users  and  suppliers  in  project  definition  and  execution. 
The  report  identified  a  number  of  areas  to  stimulate  innovation  and  improve  the  use  of  research  in 
procured products and services. Finally, the ESRAB report also suggested ‘the creation of a European 
Security  Board,  to  foster  greater  dialogue  and  a  shared  view  of  European  security  needs.  The  board 

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The  aim  of  this  Communication  is  to  underline  the  principles  of  a  European  security 
research agenda and highlight the importance of a solid public-private dialogue in the field 
of European security research and innovation. It seeks to create a foundation for mutual 
trust and pave the way for closer integration of security-related Community initiatives. 

1. 

THE  NEED  FOR  A  SHARED  AND  CLEAR  VIEW  OF  EUROPEAN  SECURITY  RESEARCH 
NEEDS AND PRIORITIES 

The European Union has responded to the need for more security research with two 
seven-year Framework Programmes5 in the area of Security, with a total funding of 
€ 2.135  billion  over  the  2007-2013  period.  These  are  the  FP7,  which  includes  a 
Security  theme,  and  the  EU  Framework Programme on ‘Security  and Safeguarding 
Liberties’. A coherent approach between these two programmes is being pursued, to 
ensure  crossover  between  the  different  types  of  research  activities.  Two  types  of 
security activities can currently be distinguished:  

With  a  budget  of  € 1.4  billion,  the  Security  theme  of  FP7  aims  to  develop  the 
technologies  to  build  the  required  capabilities  for  protection  against  terrorism  and 
crime, border control, critical infrastructure protection, and crisis management. The 
Security  theme  was  based  on  the  recommendations  of  the  ‘Group  of  Personalities’ 
(GoP)6  and  the  ‘European  Security  Research  Advisory  Board’  (ESRAB)7.  ESRAB 
was  already  based  on  a  Public-Private  Dialogue  philosophy,  which  included  end 
users, and helped formulate the research activities under FP7. It is a follow-up to the 
three-year “Preparatory Action in the field of Security Research” (PASR) launched 
by the Commission in 2004 with a total budget of € 45 million.  

Significant activities in the area of Security research are also taking place within the 
Information  and  Communication  Technologies  (ICT)  theme  of  the  FP.  Under  FP6 
the  budget  for  ICT  Security  research  amounted  to  € 150  million  and  € 90  million 
have already been earmarked for the first two years of FP7. 

Security-related  activities  are  now  covered  by  the  Framework  programme  on 
'Security and Safeguarding Liberties' that encompasses two specific programmes, 
namely:  

–  Prevention,  Preparedness  and  Consequence  Management  of  Terrorism  and  other 

Security related Risks 

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should bring together, in a non-bureaucratic manner, authoritative senior representatives from the public 
and private communities to jointly develop a strategic security agenda and act as a possible reference 
body for the implementation of existing programmes and initiatives’. 
A  framework  programme  bundles  different  EU  financial  programmes  related  to  a  particular  theme 
together under a common umbrella. 
Research for a Secure Europe: Report of the Group of Personalities in the field of Security Research, 15 
March 2004. “Security Research: The Next Steps”, 9 September 2004. 
The  2006  ESRAB  report  recommends  that  multidisciplinary  mission-oriented  research  should  be 
undertaken. It should combine end-users and suppliers in project definition and execution. The report 
identified  a  number  of  areas  to  stimulate  innovation  and  improve  the  use  of  research  in  procured 
products and services. 

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–  Prevention of and Fight against Crime.  

The planned 2007-13 budget for these programmes is € 745 million. 

Policy-oriented,  shorter-term  studies  have  been  carried  out  within  the  funding 
instruments  available  to  security  policies.  This  has  included,  in  the  past,  the  AGIS 
Programme,  which  supported  cooperation  between  law  enforcement  organisations, 
the judiciary and professionals from EU Member States, and candidate countries, on 
criminal matters and in the fight against crime. It ran from 2003 until the end of 2006 
with a budget of some € 59 million.  

- International cooperation 

European Security Research has a global context, which means that Europe must be 
open to dialogue with third countries in the field of security research and innovation.  

FP7 provides for the enhanced participation of researchers and research institutions 
from  all  International  Cooperation  Partner  countries  and  industrialised  countries, 
with restrictions on certain confidentiality aspects. 

In addition, legal entities from Associated Countries can participate in FP7 security 
research with the same rights and obligations as for the Member States8. 

The  inclusion  of  third  countries  will  bring  in  different  views  and  ensure  coherence 
between  the  Joint  Security  Research  and  Innovation  Agenda  and  security  research 
activities in other parts of the world. 

The  entry  into  force  of  the  two  EU  Framework  Programmes  substantially  increases 
resources dedicated to security and security research and will strengthen co-operation 
and synergies. 

2. 

SECURITY  RESEARCH  PROMOTING  AN  EU  AREA  OF  JUSTICE,  FREEDOM  AND 
SECURITY 

One of the main objectives of the EU's security policies is to prevent, detect, respond 
to  and  recover  from  security  threats  to  the  EU  territory,  population  or  critical 
infrastructures.  The  EU  is  conducting  a  number  of  security-related  activities  across 
different  policy  areas  such  as  justice,  freedom  and  security,  research,  transport  and 
energy,  information  society,  environment,  health  and  consumer  protection  and 
external  relations.  Whilst  protecting  EU  citizens'  right  to  security,  the  Union 
promotes and protects the freedom to work and travel around the EU, the rule of law, 
freedom of  speech and association, the right to privacy and data protection and the 
right to a fair trial. Security research can contribute to safeguarding both security and 
data protection. A  public-private  dialogue  in the field  of  security research could be 
particularly relevant in the following areas. 

8 

The  nine  current  FP7  Associated  countries  are:  Croatia,  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  Of  Macedonia, 
Iceland, Israel, Lichtenstein, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey. 

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- Increasing the security of infrastructures and utilities 

The  challenge  is  to  protect  critical  infrastructures  and  utilities  systems  from  being 
damaged,  destroyed  or  disrupted  by  deliberate  acts  of  terrorism,  natural  disasters, 
negligence,  accidents  or  computer  hacking,  criminal  activity  and  malicious 
behaviour. Efficient technological solutions need to be developed. On 12 December 
2006,  the  European  Commission  adopted  a  Communication  on  a  European 
Programme  for  Critical  Infrastructure  Protection  (EPCIP)9  and  a  proposal  for  a 
Directive on the identification and designation of European Critical Infrastructure. 

- Organised crime and terrorism 

In  order  to  uncover  and  track  terrorist  and  organised  crime  activities  secure  means 
for the exchange of information and funds must be developed. These include secure 
communications  and  policing  of  information  infrastructures,  i.a.  the  internet. 
Concerning  terrorist  weapons,  detection,  tracking,  tracing,  identification  and 
neutralisation  of  CBRNE  (Chemical,  Biological,  Radiological,  Nuclear  substances 
and  Explosives)  and  Radio  Frequency  weapons  are  the  priority.  Public  and  private 
operators must work to increase the security of legitimately manufactured explosives, 
to  prevent  terrorists  from  using  improvised  explosives.  The  Commission  will  soon 
adopt an EU Action Plan for the safety and security of explosives and detonators. 

- Security and society 

Technology  is  an  important  tool  in  preventing,  responding  to,  managing  and 
mitigating  potential  security  threats  to  European  societies.  But  it  only  works  in 
combination  with  organisational  arrangements  and  human  intervention.  Thus, 
research  into  political,  social  and  human  issues  is  required  to  complement 
technology-oriented research.  

Data-processing  systems  are  designed  to  serve  citizens.  They  must,  whatever  the 
nationality  or  residence  of  the  persons,  respect  their  fundamental  rights  and 
freedoms,  notably  the  right  to  privacy,  and  contribute  to  economic  and  social 
progress,  trade  expansion  and  the  well-being  of  individuals.  Future  technological 
developments  should  enhance  the  protection  of  personal  data  and  privacy,  whilst 
providing the means for transparent and accountable law enforcement. In this regard, 
the  development  of  privacy-enhancing  technologies10  is  an  avenue  to  pursue  in 
public-private dialogue. 

- Intelligent surveillance and enhancing border control 

Border  security  must  be  addressed  in  the  context  of  integrated  border  management 
ensuring  legitimate  trade  and  movements  of  people,  thus  supporting  the  Schengen 
system, the efforts of national authorities and those of the European Union’s external 
borders  agency  FRONTEX.  The  convergence  of  information  management  systems, 
interoperability,  training  and  cascading  best  practice  must  continue.  The  link  to 
standardisation,  regulation  and  legislation  and  to  related  testing,  evaluation  and 

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COM(2004) 702. 
See "Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Promoting 
Data Protection by Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) - COM(2007) 228. 

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certification  is  crucial.  With  respect  to  illegal  immigration,  the  objective  is  to 
develop  novel,  reliable  and  flexible  solutions  to  identify  illegal  movements,  whilst 
not  unduly  impeding  the  flow  of  the  vast  majority  of  legitimate  travellers  and 
vehicles. 

With respect to the trafficking of drugs, weapons and illicit substances, the objective 
is to disrupt networks, while addressing traceability, security of goods supply chains 
and logistics networks standardisation, and more affordable robust solutions as well 
as seeking ways of reducing unit cost and screening times. 

Current technology limits the surveillance on certain parts of the external border, e.g. 
coastal  areas,  and  is  not  suitable  for  the  detection  and  tracking  of  small  vessels, 
which  are  used  for  smuggling  people,  drugs  etc.  into  the  Schengen  area.  Research 
and technological development should focus on technical tools for surveillance (e.g. 
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs), satellites).  

- Restoring security in a crisis 

We  must  ensure  that  governments,  emergency  services  and  societies  are  better 
prepared to cope with unpredictable catastrophic incidents using new, innovative and 
affordable  solutions.  The  challenge  is  also  to  improve  the  tools,  infrastructures, 
procedures  and  organisational  frameworks  for  responding  and  recovering  more 
efficiently and effectively, both during and after an incident.  

3. 

THE COMPETITIVENESS OF EUROPEAN INDUSTRY IN THE SECURITY RESEARCH AREA 

The security market is a complex and heterogeneous market with civil and defence 
applications.  Security  technologies  and  solutions  are  intrinsically  part  of,  and 
developed  within,  a  wide  array  of  industries  covering  e.g.  transport,  energy, 
environment,  information  society,  telecommunication,  health.  This  will  also  enable 
SMEs to become involved in the emerging security market. 

Security technologies and solutions are themselves diverse and cover such elements 
identification,  risk  assessment,  and  situation 
as  positioning,  authentication, 
awareness.  An  effective  industrial  policy  to  support  the  security  market  should 
include regulation, standardisation, access to venture capital, and a coherent research 
strategy and sustained funding. 

Standardisation,  conducted  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  competition  rules11,  has 
proved  to  be  an  effective  tool  for  the  coherent  and  effective  implementation  of 
European legislation across a variety of EU policies. 

Standards are efficient tools for all relevant stakeholders, including the public sector 
in  its  capacity  as  purchaser  of  goods  and  services,  as  they  deliver  inter-operability 
and durability to meet end-user requirements. As a procurement tool, standards are a 
key element in market creation in the security domain at European and international 
level. 

11 

See in particular Commission Guidelines on the application of Article 81 of the EC Treaty to horizontal 
cooperation agreements - OJ C 3, 6.1.2001, p. 2, Chapter 6. 

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The  European  Standardisation  Office,  CEN,  has  set  up  a  working  group  on 
‘Protection and Security of the Citizen’ (BT/WG161), focusing on: 

–  the coordination of standardisation activities in this area, notably with ISO; 

–  possible new standardisation activities; 

–  responding to stakeholders' queries, in particular from the EU Institutions. 

ESRIF can help identify priority areas for standard-setting at European level, taking 
into  account  the  need  for  standards  to  be  accessible  for  SMEs.  ESRIF  should  also 
map the whole civil security technology supply chain and analyse the economics of 
security, promoting initiatives to identify and set quantifiable targets. 

A  Joint  Security  Research  Agenda  involving  all  public  and  private  European 
stakeholders, from both the supply and demand sides, and which is user-driven, will 
create  opportunities  for  more  coherent  research  programming  and  funding  that 
should lead to better innovation. It should also trigger the investment of funds by the 
private  sector  in  the  research  strategic  priorities,  thereby  complementing  the  public 
investment. Moreover, it corresponds to the general aim of building a true European 
Research  Area,  notably  by  promoting  better  coherence  between  investments  in 
research and development allocated at national, regional and European levels12. This 
will ultimately strengthen the EU security market and the competitiveness of industry 
and other providers of technologies and solutions. 

A stronger and more coherent Security market will contribute to growth and support 
the Lisbon process. 

4. 

A  NEED  TO  CONNECT  SECURITY  RESEARCH  WITH  PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE 
STAKEHOLDERS 

There are a number of issues that need to be addressed here: 

–  The  dialogue  between  demand  for  and  supply  of  security  technologies  and 
solutions needs to be strengthened, in order to obtain a shared and clear view of 
European security research needs and priorities.  

–  The  resources  for  security  research  are  scattered  between  European,  national 
and  regional  levels  as  well  as  public  and  private  stakeholders:  good 
coordination will help to make optimum use of existing capabilities and increased 
exchange  of  information  to  avoid  unnecessary  duplication  and  to  enhance 
cooperation,  e.g.  on  cross  border  issues  such  as  airport-security,  detection  of 
liquid explosive, etc. 

–  There is a need for enhanced international co-operation in certain areas. 

12 

The  European  Commission's  Green  Paper  on  "The  European  Research  Area:  New  Perspectives"  of  4 
April 2007 suggests a process of joint research programming between Member States, regions and other 
actors on a number of societal challenges - COM(2007) 161. 

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–  There  is  a  need  to  co-operate  with  European  bodies  such  as  the  Europol, 
FRONTEX, European Defence Agency as well as international organisations (e.g. 
UNICRI). 

–  Synergies  between 

the  different  elements  of  European  security  (policy, 
implementation,  standardisation,  research,  and  other  related  activities)  at 
European and national level must be enhanced. 

–  End-users  are  sometimes  only  involved  in  the  late  stages  of  research  projects: 
research  should  be  multi-disciplinary  and  involve  end-users  and  suppliers  right 
from the start. 

–  The dissemination of and exploitation of research results must be improved.  

–  The  availability  of  and  access  to  good-quality  research  at  EU  level  should  be 

improved. 

–  Research in the field of security will lead to the development of new systems and 
processes.  Take-up  of  these  will  be  promoted  by  the  development  of  European 
standards  for  which  standardisation  mandates  should  be  issued  to  the  European 
Standards organisations where appropriate.  

–  These objectives should be clearly set out in a roadmap and given high political 

endorsement and visibility. 

The  use  of  existing  databases  such  as  CORDIS  –  Community  Research  & 
Development  Information  Service  (http://cordis.europa.eu)  will  rapidly  enable  the 
support  of  the  objectives  of  ESRIF  to  exchange ideas, disseminate information and 
promote research results. 

Security research can make a significant contribution to the Growth and Jobs agenda, 
since European industry has the opportunity to become a major player in the global 
security market. 

There  is  a  need  to  bring  together  the  demand  and  supply  sides  of  technologies  and 
solutions, the EU institutions and the Member States in order to address a number of 
specific security research issues and problems. 

5. 

1. 

JOINING  FORCES:  CREATING  THE  EUROPEAN  SECURITY  RESEARCH  AND 
INNOVATION FORUM (ESRIF) 

Mission and objectives 

•  The  objective  of  the  ESRIF  is  to  support  civil  security  policy-making  with  the 
appropriate technology and knowledge base by establishing and carrying forward 
a  mid-  and  long-term  Joint  Security  Research  Agenda  that  will  involve  all 
European  stakeholders,  including  those  from  the  Associated  countries  to  FP7, 
from both the supply and the demand sides, industry and academia and other. This 
agenda should contain a research roadmap based on the future needs of the public 
and  private  end-users  and 
technologies.  Its 
implementation  should  be  closely  followed-up  by  all  stakeholders.  By  bringing 

the  state-of-the-art  security 

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together the supply and demand sides of security research, the forum is intended 
to ensure that research is relevant and that it feeds into security policy-making. It 
is  also  expected  to  serve  to  create  a  common  basis  for  research  activities, 
particularly through national and EU programmes. The role of the ESRIF will be 
solely consultative. This is in line with the ESRAB recommendations. 

The ESRIF is expected to develop its activities in full compliance with fundamental 
rights,  in  particular  with  the  protection  of  personal  data  and  whilst  respecting  the 
security  provisions  of  Commission  Decision  2001/844/EC, ECSC, Euratom 
(including 2006/548/EC, Euratom on industrial security). 

•  More  specifically,  the  objective  is  for  ESRIF  to  assist  the  European  security 

sector by:  

–  strengthening and highlighting the importance of a public-private dialogue in the 
field  of  European  security  research,  bringing  together  the  demand  and  supply 
sides  of  security  technologies,  showing  new  perspectives  for  the  use  of 
technologies and creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation; 

–  encouraging  innovative  thinking  to  tackle  the  emerging  threat  and  to  encourage 
the development of future opportunities and advances in science, technology and 
other fields (sociology, culture, economics, etc.); 

–  continuously analysing the future security capability needs in light of existing and 
future  threats,  based  on  systematic  vulnerability  assessments  and  of  the  supply 
side capabilities to deliver the relevant technologies and solutions. In appropriate 
cases  this  should  also  lead  to  the  definition  of  common  user  needs  (both  public 
and private); 

–  promoting the integration of the full innovation supply chains throughout Europe 
(end-users;  research  community;  industry  including  SMEs).  It  will  be  vital  to 
establish  effective  technology  watch  mechanisms  in  order  to  integrate  the  most 
appropriate cost efficient technologies in security solutions.  

2. 

Structure 

The ESRIF will be set up in agreement with the Member States and organised by its 
stakeholders.  

It  will  have  a  single  plenary  with  a  balanced  representation  of  all  stakeholders  in 
security  research,  from  the  public  and  private  sectors,  i.e.  industry,  research 
establishments,  public  and  private  end-users,  civil  society  organisations,  European 
institutions, in particular the European Parliament, and European organisations13. 

A number of working groups will be defined by the ESRIF after its constitution and 
will involve an estimated total of 200-300 contributors, with smaller ad-hoc groups 
to take forward particular activities;  

13 

The initial members of the Forum have been proposed by the Member States and Associated Countries 
following a formal invitation by the Commission.  

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A group may be created to accompany the process at political level at specific stages, 
in particular for the preparation of the final ESRIF report. 

The  European  Security  Research  and  Innovation  Forum  will  have  the  aim  of 
its 
formulating  an  EU  Joint  Security  Research  Agenda,  and 
implementation. It will also contribute to the European public debate on the issues of 
security, technology and innovation. 

following-up 

6. 

CONCLUSIONS AND KEY ACTIONS 

1. 
A solid public-private dialogue in the field of European security research and 
innovation is capital to ensuring mutual trust amongst all the relevant stakeholders. It 
would provide a sound basis for ensuring long term security solutions for the benefit 
of EU citizens. 

The  main  instrument  for  achieving  these  objectives  should  be  a  forum  for  the 
development of a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) in the area of EU security research 
and innovation, the ESRIF. 

The  ESRIF's  inaugural  meeting  is  planned  for  September  2007,  and  it  is 
2. 
expected to be fully operational later in the year. It will be established for a limited 
period of time, i.e. until the end of 2009. 

3. 
The Commission will participate actively in the proceedings of the Forum. The 
ESRIF will report on progress achieved in 2008, and the Commission will take stock 
of these first results and react with a Communication in the autumn of 2008. 

The ESRIF is to present a Joint Security Research Agenda towards the end of 

4. 
2009. It will contain, where appropriate, recommendations to public authorities. 

The  ESRIF  is  to  become  the  first  step  in  a  Public-Private  Dialogue  process 
5. 
which is intended to link Security stakeholders in a more permanent and structured 
way. 

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ANNEX  

The Security theme under FP7 and 
security activities under the EU Framework Programme on ‘Security and Safeguarding 
Liberties’ 

1. 

In  March  2004,  the  Commission  launched  a  three-year  “Preparatory  Action”  in  the 
field  of  Security  Research.  With  three  annual  budgets  of  € 15  million,  the 
Preparatory Action was a first step towards the Security theme of FP7.  

Participants  included  companies  in  the  aerospace,  information  &  communication 
technologies, system integrators and defence sectors. Under the Preparatory Action, 
39 projects have been launched covering the areas of situation awareness, protection 
of  networked  systems,  protection  against  terrorism,  crisis  management  and 
interoperability of control and communications systems. 

The  Security  theme  in  FP7  will  develop  the  technologies  for  building  capabilities 
needed  to  ensure  the  security  of  citizens  from  threats  such  as  terrorism  and  crime, 
natural  disasters  and  industrial  accidents,  while  having  due  regard  for  fundamental 
human  rights  and  societal  aspects.  It  will  also  be  an  instrument  to  structure  and 
coordinate  European  and  national  research  efforts.  Its  budget  is  € 1.4  billion  over 
seven years (2007-2013). 

The Security theme work programme is based on the ESRAB report14. It is structured 
on  the  basis  of  four  security  missions  of  high  political  relevance  which  relate  to 
specific security threats.  

Missions:  

(1) 

Security of citizens  

(2) 

Security of infrastructures and utilities 

(3) 

Intelligence surveillance and border security 

(4) 

Restoring security and safety in a crisis 

Three domains of cross-cutting interest were selected as well: 

Cross cutting: 

(5) 

Security systems integration, interconnectivity and interoperability 

(6) 

Security and society 

(7) 

Security research coordination and structuring 

14 

The ESRAB Board was created by Commission Decision 2005/516/EC on 22 April 2005 and published 
its final report on 22 September 2006. 

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The governance of the FP7 Security theme is organised in close cooperation between 
Member  States'  authorities  and  the  Commission.  On  this  basis,  mutual  information 
on  national  security  research  activities  and  results  can  be  exchanged  and  common 
strategies developed.  

2. 

The EU Framework Programme on ‘Security and Safeguarding Liberties’ 

AGIS (2003-2006) was set up to help legal practitioners, law enforcement officials 
and  representatives  of  victim  assistance  services  from  the  EU  Member  States  and 
Candidate  Countries  to  set  up  Europe-wide  networks,  as  well  as  to  exchange 
information and best practices. It also aimed at encouraging Member States to step 
up co-operation with applicant and third countries.  

The  EU  Framework  Programme  on  ‘Security  and  Safeguarding  Liberties’  (2007-
2013)  consists  of  two  financial  instruments  encompassing  the  following  specific 
programmes:  "Prevention  of  and  Fight  against  Crime"15  and  "Prevention, 
Preparedness and Consequence management of Terrorism and other Security related 
risks"16. 

Budget 2007-2013 

Total amount over the 2007-2013 period 

Framework 
safeguarding Liberties 

programme: 

Security 

and 

€ 745.00 million 

Including: 

-  Specific  programme:  Prevention  of  and  fight 
against crime 

€ 597.60 million 

Specific 

Prevention, 
- 
Preparedness  and  Consequence  Management 
of Terrorism and other Security related risks 

programme: 

€ 137.40 million 

As  a  follow-up  to  AGIS,  the  framework  programme  is  concerned  with  effective 
operational co-operation in the fight against, and prevention of, crime and terrorism. 

The objectives of the Specific programme: Prevention of and fight against crime 
are: 

(a) 

to stimulate, promote and develop horizontal methods and tools necessary for 
strategically  preventing  and  fighting  crime  and  guaranteeing  security  and 
public  order,  such  as  the  work  carried  out  in  the  European  Union  Crime 
Prevention  Network,  public-private  partnerships,  best  practices  in  crime 

15 

16 

Council Decision 2007/125/JHA of 12 February 2007 establishing for the period 2007 to 2013, as part 
of General Programme on Security and Safeguarding Liberties, the Specific Programme ‘Prevention of 
and Fight against Crime’. 
Council Decision 2007/124/EC of 12 February 2007 establishing for the period 2007 to 2013, as part of 
General  Programme  on  Security  and  Safeguarding  Liberties,  the  Specific  Programme  ‘Prevention, 
Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism and other Security related risks’. 

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prevention,  comparable  statistics,  applied  criminology  and  an  enhanced 
approach towards young offenders; 

(b) 

to  promote  and  develop  coordination,  cooperation  and  mutual  understanding 
among law enforcement agencies, other national authorities and related Union 
bodies in respect of the priorities identified by the Council, in particular as set 
out by Europol's Organised Crime Threat Assessment; 

(c) 

to  promote  and  develop  best  practices  for  the  protection  of  and  support  for 
witnesses; 

(d) 

 to promote and develop best practices for the protection of crime victims. 

The  objectives  of  the  Specific  programme:  Prevention,  Preparedness  and 
Consequence Management of Terrorism and other Security related risks are to 
stimulate,  promote  and  develop  measures  on  prevention,  preparedness  and 
consequence  management  based,  inter  alia,  on  comprehensive  threat  and  risk 
assessments,  subject  to  supervision  by  Member  States  and  with  due  regard  for 
existing Community competence in that matter, and aiming to prevent or reduce risks 
linked with terrorism and other security related risks. 

The most recent examples of research projects financed by AGIS include: 

•  Police Detention in Europe: a comparative study of the provision of services for 

problematic drug and alcohol users 

•  Implementation  study  for  an  international  child  sexual  exploitation  image 

database 

•  Optimisation  of  methods  for 

identifying  persons 

in  photographs  (photo 

identification): a contribution to combating and preventing crime in Europe 

•  Study on Corruption within the Public Sector 

•  Cyber crime Investigation (developing an international training programme for the 
future / delivering an intermediate level accredited modular international training 
programme (two projects)  

•  Training  in  efficient  amphetamine  comparison  using  a  harmonised  methodology 

and sustainable database. 

Calls for proposals for action and operating grants are regularly published for these 
specific programmes. Information is available at: 

http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/funding/intro/funding_security_en.htm 

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