The aim of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters is to ensure a high level of safety for individuals in the EU by preventing and combating crime.
The cooperation takes place between national police forces and national judicial authorities with the help of EU agencies such as Eurojust, Europol and the European Judicial Network where needed. This cooperation involves the collection and exchange of information on people.
Opinion on the Communication from the Commission on "A comprehensive approach on personal data protection in the European Union", OJ C 181/01, 22.06.2011, p.1
See also the text of the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - "A comprehensive approach on personal data protection in the European Union".
Opinion on the Communication from the Commission "EU Internal Security Strategy in Action: Five steps towards a more secure Europe"
See also the text of the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - "The EU Internal Security Strategy in Action: Five steps towards a more secure Europe".
The report shows that 2009 was of major importance for the fundamental right to data protection.
This is due to a number of key developments: the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty, ensuring a strong legal basis for comprehensive data protection in all areas of EU policy; the start of a public consultation on the future of the EU legal framework for data protection; and the adoption of a new five-year policy programme for the area of freedom, security and justice ("Stockholm Programme") with the emphasis on the importance of data protection in this area.
The EDPS has been highly involved in these fields and is determined to pursue this course in the near future.
You can obtain a paper version of this Annual Report on EU Bookshop.