Report on the implementation of Council Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and crossborder crime (the ‘Prüm Decision’)

The purpose of this report is to take stock of the situation more than four years after the adoption of Council Decision 2008/615/JHA and more than one year after the deadline of 26 August 2011 for its full implementation. Originally, this report was meant not only to assess implementation but also to reflect on recommendations for further development of the instrument.

Since implementation is lagging behind considerably, the Commission has decided not to consider further developments before full implementation. By doing so, the Commission aims to avoid further slowing down implementation efforts and to facilitate swift implementation in a legally stable environment. Nonetheless, the state of implementation is insufficient and the Commission therefore invites Member States to make all efforts necessary to implement the Decision in full.

Although the experiences of operational Member States have proven the added value of the instrument, some problems have emerged. Therefore this report, although focusing on implementation, will also reflect on the main difficulties in the operation of the instrument.