EU urged to create Intelligence body to counter external threats

11:54 28.10.2024 •

Sauli Niinisto (left) with von der Leyen in Brussels.
Photo: AFP

The European Union should gradually build a fully fledged intelligence body to better counter threats from foreign actors and respond more forcefully to espionage within its borders, according to a recent draft of a report requested by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Bloomberg informs.

The new intelligence service would gather its own intelligence about threats originating beyond EU borders that target the bloc as a whole, according to people familiar with the report. The aim is to avoid overlap with national agencies and help counter espionage aimed at EU institutions.

Earlier this year, von der Leyen tasked former Finnish president Sauli Niinisto with delivering recommendations on how to improve the bloc’s readiness to confront a variety of possible crises.

The report is a part of the bloc’s effort to boost its defense and security readiness amid growing a set of risks, including “Russian actions” along the EU’s eastern members, potential spillover from conflicts in the Middle East and concerns about China’s assertive rise in the East. The bloc has also become more wary of new hybrid threats, such as waves of migrants.

The EU lacks a proper intelligence service, with officials currently analyzing public available sources and information received from member states. That limits the capacity of the EU institutions to detect potential threats and react, the report found.

Niinisto is expected to propose expanding the mandate of the EU Intelligence and Situation Center to include intelligence gathering, as well as harnessing EU diplomatic delegations for that purpose, the people said on condition of anonymity because the report isn’t final. The new center, together with other EU actors, could then conduct counter-espionage activities and support policymakers by highlighting potential risks.

In addition, the draft report calls on the EU to strengthen its defenses against hostile spies by aligning the legal framework for espionage and illegal clandestine activities in member states to avoid safe havens. It’s also expected to propose establishing restrictions for diplomats from third countries traveling within the EU if they represent a threat in terms of conducting sabotage or espionage activities, the people added.

The European Commission declined to comment.

 

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