Antoci (M5S): crucial Europol reform against transnational organized crime

“In an area of ​​free movement like Schengen – continues Antoci – we cannot afford for the authorities to remain fragmented, while criminal organizations increasingly operate as European and global networks. At the same time, I share the attention placed on strengthening technological capabilities. It is clear that there are still important divergences between Member States and that no country can tackle challenges such as decryption, computer forensics or advanced data analysis alone. If we want to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated organized crime, we must invest together in the necessary skills and technologies and Europol’s role in supporting Member States, who will obviously have to maintain their autonomy and independence, is fundamental.”

All this, according to Antoci, “will have to go hand in hand with solid guarantees regarding the protection of personal datatransparency and democratic control, aspects that will be central to the legislative work that awaits us. We therefore await with interest the start of the parliamentary examination and confirm our willingness to collaborate constructively so that this reform makes Europol even more effective in combating organized crime and threats to the security of European citizens”, concludes Antoci.