BERLIN, November 12. . Several EU member states have criticized plans to establish a department within the European Commission (EC) to deal with intelligence and security issues. The DPA agency writes about this.
According to him, representatives of several EU countries noted that in Brussels there is already an EU intelligence analysis center, called SIAC (Integrated Intelligence Analysis Center), which combines civilian intelligence – the EU Intelligence and Situation Center (INTCEN) and military intelligence (EUMS Intelligence Directorate). However, the European Commission argues that the new structure will be able to further strengthen security and intelligence capabilities in a complex geopolitical and geo-economic environment, the agency noted.
Critics of the project point out that, according to the latest directive, the existing central unit of SIAC is intended to provide increased support not only to the EU's foreign policy body but also to the EC, the security council and the Council of Member States. To complete this task, the Intelligence and Analysis Center is also being restructured, they said.
On November 11, the Financial Times quoted an unnamed European Commission official as saying that the EC was “looking to strengthen its security and intelligence capabilities,” considering the establishment of a special agency on this issue. Later, the official representative of the European Commission, Balazs Ujvari, confirmed plans to create a department within the EC structure dealing with intelligence and security issues. According to Ujvari, this agency will work closely with the EC Security Directorate and coordinate actions with the EU's foreign policy body.
As the head of the EC press agency, Paula Pinho, explains, this will be a “small structure” and the idea is “in its infancy”.
