Security is the bedrock upon which all our freedoms are built. Democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, the wellbeing of Europeans, competitiveness and prosperity – all hinge on our ability to provide a basic security guarantee. In the new era of security threats that we now live in, EU Member States’ ability to guarantee security for their citizens is more than ever contingent on a unified, European approach to protecting our internal security. In an evolving geopolitical landscape, Europe must continue to make good on its enduring promise of peace. The first steps towards building a European security apparatus have already been taken. In the last decade, we have equipped the Union with improved collective mechanisms for action in the areas of law enforcement and judicial cooperation, border security, the fight against serious and organised crime, counter terrorism and violent extremism and the protection of the EU’s physical and digital critical infrastructure. The proper implementation of previously adopted legislation and developed policies remains key.

P.20 Half of the EU’s most dangerous criminal networks are involved in violent drug trafficking. Although the EU has recently bolstered its fight against this crime, notably by expanding the mandate of the EU Drugs Agency, further actions are necessary. The Commission will work in close cooperation with the Member States to propose a new EU Drugs Strategy. It will also revise the legal framework on drug precursors and propose an EU Action Plan against drug trafficking to disrupt routes and business models. The EU Ports Alliance’s public private partnership on strengthened port protection will be extended to include smaller and inland ports and ensure maritime security rules are enforced. Recognising the severe local impacts of drug trafficking, the Commission will continue to support a balanced, evidence-based, and multidisciplinary drug policy, with readiness for sudden drug influxes, especially synthetic opioids. To combat the exploitation of people, the EU has adopted new rules and will introduce a renewed EU Strategy on combatting trafficking in human beings (2026-2030), covering all stages from prevention to prosecution, with a focus on victim support at both EU and international levels... 

P.23 Key actions The Commission will:

• present a legislative proposal for modernised rules on organised crime in 2026
• present a legislative proposal to revise the legal framework on drug precursors in 2025
• present a legislative proposal for common criminal law standards on illicit firearms trafficking in 2025
• assess the need to revise the Directives on Pyrotechnics and Civil Explosives
• assess the need to further strengthen the European Investigation Order and the European Arrest Warrant 
• present a new EU Strategy on combatting trafficking in human beings in 2026
• present a new EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights in 2026
• present an EU Action Plan on the Protection of Children against Crime by 2027
• present an EU Action Plan against drug trafficking in 2025
• present an EU Action Plan against firearms trafficking in 2026
• successively expand the EU Ports Alliance from 2025 onwards
• adopt DSA guidelines on the protection of minors in 2026
• present an EU Action Plan against cyberbullying in 2026