EU intelligence-led policing : the case of counter-terrorism cooperation

The adoption by the EU of an intelligence-led policing model indealing with serious threats to public order and internal security marked asignificant shift in EU internal security policy. A pro-active approach tothreat assessment and risk management on the part of relevant EUagencies and the majority of the member states reflects the growingimportance of prevention and anticipation in the field of EU internalsecurity. Intelligence-driven cooperation among national police and other law enforcement agencies became a showcase of modern transnational policing in the EU, especially in the light of EU Internal Security Strategyof 2010. Therefore, it is legitimate to take up the issue of EU intelligence-led policing as an analytical and practical solution responding effectivelyto the pressing challenges in internal security, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism. The model of intelligence-led policing at the EU level isgrounded on specific functional and institutional synergies suitable to EUlegal and institutional framework as well as national interests and perspectives of the member states. EU cooperation in counter-terrorism isa good test-case, given the high political relevance of this issue as well asits complexity and sensitivity.