# ProtectEU: A European Internal Security Strategy Canonical URL: https://digital-acquis.eu/initiative/protecteu-a-european-internal-security-strategy Entry type: initiative Source edition current through: 17 July 2026 (2026-07-17). This is not a page modification date. Status: delivered. A delivered initiative is not necessarily legislation in force. Instrument: Communication Date as recorded: 01 Apr 2025 Date kind: date Status note: full date links only to published artifact types ## Summary ProtectEU sets out EU internal-security action based on regular threat assessments and stronger operational capacity. It covers terrorism, organised crime, cyber-related and hybrid threats, with proposed changes involving Europol, Eurojust and Frontex. The strategy also calls for a European Critical Communication System, better protection of critical infrastructure and transport hubs, stronger cybersecurity, updated organised-crime and firearms rules, and closer operational cooperation with partner regions. ## Sources - [Official source]() - [Official source]() ## Action items (45; complete published list) ### 1. Action item 300001 EU Internal Security Threat Analyses: The Commission will produce and present regular threat analyses for EU internal security, drawing on SOCTA, TE-SAT, JCAR, and financial crime assessments, to inform agile and responsive security policy, feed into Security College discussions, and contribute to the all-hazards risk assessment under the Preparedness Union Strategy. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 1. Digital dimension: no. ### 2. Action item 300002 Commission Integrated Security Operations Centre (ISOC): The Commission will establish an Integrated Security Operations Centre to protect people, physical assets, and operations across all Commission sites, while revising its corporate security governance framework and boosting analytical capacity for identifying and mitigating hybrid threats. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 2. Digital dimension: no. ### 3. Action item 300003 Europol Mandate Overhaul: The Commission will present a legislative proposal to transform Europol into a fully operational police agency, expanding its mandate to cover sabotage, hybrid threats and information manipulation, strengthening its technological capacity, enhancing coordination with other agencies, and reinforcing oversight arrangements. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 3. Digital dimension: no. ### 4. Action item 300004 Eurojust Mandate Revision: The Commission will present a legislative proposal to strengthen Eurojust's mandate for more effective judicial cooperation, enhancing its analytical capacity and proactive support to national judiciaries, and deepening its complementarity and cooperation with Europol. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 4. Digital dimension: no. ### 5. Action item 300005 Frontex Reinforcement: The Commission will present a legislative proposal to reinforce Frontex's role and tasks, including tripling the European Border and Coast Guard to 30 000 over time, equipping it with advanced surveillance technology and intelligence capabilities, and strengthening its support for returns of third-country nationals posing security risks. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 5. Digital dimension: no. ### 6. Action item 300006 European Critical Communications System (EUCCS): A legislative proposal will establish a harmonised pan-European communications system linking Member States' next-generation critical communications networks, built on operational mobility, resilience and strategic autonomy, and extended via the IRIS² satellite system to ensure interoperability for first responders across borders. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 6. Digital dimension: no. ### 7. Action item 300007 Roadmap on Lawful and Effective Access to Data: The Commission will present a roadmap setting out legal and practical measures to ensure law enforcement authorities can access data lawfully and effectively, prioritising a review of EU data retention rules and a Technology Roadmap on encryption to identify solutions enabling lawful access while safeguarding cybersecurity and fundamental rights. [Roadmap H1 2025; encryption roadmap 2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 7. Digital dimension: no. ### 8. Action item 300008 Data Retention Rules Review: The Commission will prepare an impact assessment on updating EU data retention rules, with a view to rebalancing investigative access to digital evidence against fundamental rights safeguards in a manner consistent with Court of Justice jurisprudence. [2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 8. Digital dimension: no. ### 9. Action item 300009 High-Level Group on Operational Law Enforcement Cooperation: The Commission will create a high-level group to develop a shared strategic vision for cross-border operational law enforcement cooperation, addressing challenges faced by law enforcement officers conducting surveillance and urgent interventions across internal borders and in countering hybrid threats. Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 9. Digital dimension: no. ### 10. Action item 300010 Security Research and Innovation Campus (JRC): The Commission will establish a Security Research and Innovation Campus at its Joint Research Centre to shorten the cycle from research to innovation and deployment, reducing development and validation costs for internal security solutions including AI-based tools for law enforcement. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 10. Digital dimension: no. ### 11. Action item 300011 EMPACT Architecture Strengthening: Working with Council Presidencies and Member States, the Commission will maximise the potential of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats for the 2026–2029 cycle, strengthening its focus on the most threatening criminal networks, cross-border intelligence, joint investigations, follow-the-money approaches, and anti-recruitment measures. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 11. Digital dimension: no. ### 12. Action item 300012 Interoperability Architecture and Prüm II Rollout: The Commission, Member States and eu-LISA will work towards swift deployment of the EU's large-scale information system interoperability architecture and the Prüm II automated data exchange system, enabling secure cross-border sharing of fingerprints, DNA, vehicle registration data, facial images, and police records. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 12. Digital dimension: no. ### 13. Action item 300013 Travel Information Framework Strengthening: The Commission will extend passenger data collection and transfer requirements to private flights, evaluate PNR processing rules, assess maritime travel information streamlining, and explore expanded use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems with SIS integration, to close the current gap in tracking criminal and terrorist movements across transport modes. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 13. Digital dimension: no. ### 14. Action item 300014 Schengen Information System (SIS) Enhancement: The SIS will be updated to enable Member States to enter alerts about third-country nationals involved in terrorism and serious crime based on data shared by third countries through Europol, strengthening external border checks and identity verification for individuals posing security threats. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 14. Digital dimension: no. ### 15. Action item 300015 Cybersecurity Act Revision: The Commission will revise the Cybersecurity Act to simplify the EU cybersecurity framework, modernise ENISA's mandate, improve the European Cybersecurity Certification Framework for timely scheme adoption, and address ICT supply chain security risks and strategic dependencies on high-risk providers. [2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 15. Digital dimension: no. ### 16. Action item 300016 Cloud and Telecom Cybersecurity Measures: The Commission will take action to encourage critical entities to choose cloud and telecom services offering appropriate cybersecurity levels, considering both technical and strategic risks, complementing the NIS2 Directive and Cyber Resilience Act obligations. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 16. Digital dimension: no. ### 17. Action item 300017 Strategic Planning for Coordinated Cybersecurity Risk Assessments: Building on existing sectoral assessments covering 5G, telecoms, electricity, renewable energy, and connected vehicles, the Commission and Member States will develop a joint strategic framework for coordinated cybersecurity risk assessments across critical sectors. Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 17. Digital dimension: no. ### 18. Action item 300018 Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Transition: The Commission is working with Member States to implement the 2024 PQC Roadmap, requiring critical entities to identify high-risk cases and achieve quantum-safe encryption by 2030 at the latest, while also developing the EuroQCI quantum communication infrastructure as part of IRIS² for secure data transmission and storage. [by 2030] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 18. Digital dimension: no. ### 19. Action item 300019 Counter-Drone Centre of Excellence: The Commission will develop a harmonised testing methodology for counter-drone systems, establish a dedicated counter-drone Centre of Excellence, and assess the need to harmonise Member States' laws and procedures on drone threats used for espionage and attacks. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 19. Digital dimension: no. ### 20. Action item 300020 Submarine Cable Integrated Surveillance Mechanism: The Commission will work with Member States to develop and deploy, on a voluntary basis, an integrated surveillance mechanism for submarine cables per sea basin, beginning with a Nordic/Baltic regional hub, to prevent, detect, respond to, and deter threats to undersea infrastructure. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 20. Digital dimension: no. ### 21. Action item 300021 EU Ports Strategy: Building on the EU Ports Alliance public-private partnership, the Commission will propose an EU Ports Strategy exploring ways to strengthen maritime security legislation, harmonise national practices, reinforce background checks at ports, and extend air cargo security protocols to the maritime transport chain. [2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 21. Digital dimension: no. ### 22. Action item 300022 Aviation Security Occurrence System: The Commission will work with Member States to amend implementing legislation in the field of aviation security to enable sharing of classified information on aviation security occurrences, and will consider regulatory measures to address new threats including air cargo incidents and reinforce aviation security standards (AVSEC). [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 22. Digital dimension: no. ### 23. Action item 300023 Multi-Agency Transport and Supply Chain Security Alert Mechanism: The Commission will propose a multi-agency mechanism to guarantee secure and timely sharing of information needed to anticipate and counter threats to transport and supply chains, drawing on customs, law enforcement, border management, and intelligence sources. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 23. Digital dimension: no. ### 24. Action item 300024 Defence and Security Procurement Rules Revision: The Commission will revise EU procurement rules for defence and security to assess whether existing provisions adequately address law enforcement and critical entity resilience needs, including security-by-design requirements for detection equipment, biometric technologies, and drones. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 24. Digital dimension: no. ### 25. Action item 300025 CBRN Preparedness and Response Action Plan: The Commission will present a new CBRN Action Plan to boost preparedness and response capabilities against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, covering threat prioritisation, innovation funding for countermeasures, rescEU capacities, and stockpiling of medical countermeasures, complemented by the EU Strategy on Medical Countermeasures. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 25. Digital dimension: no. ### 26. Action item 300026 Renewed Legal Framework on Organised Crime: The Commission will propose modernised legislation replacing outdated rules to strengthen the criminal justice response to high-risk criminal networks, updating definitions, enforcement tools, and cross-border cooperation mechanisms. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 26. Digital dimension: no. ### 27. Action item 300027 EU Anti-Corruption Strategy: The Commission will present a dedicated EU Anti-Corruption Strategy to foster integrity and strengthen coordination among relevant authorities and stakeholders, complementing the pending Directive on combating corruption. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 27. Digital dimension: no. ### 28. Action item 300028 EU-Wide System to Track Organised Crime Profits and Terrorist Financing: The Commission will explore the feasibility of a new integrated EU-wide tracking system covering organised crime profits and terrorist financing, including intra-EU and SEPA transactions, crypto asset transfers, and online payments, to complement the EU-US TFTP Agreement and strengthen Financial Intelligence Unit information flows to law enforcement. Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 28. Digital dimension: no. ### 29. Action item 300029 Drug Precursors Legal Framework Revision: The Commission will present a legislative proposal to revise the rules on drug precursors to close loopholes exploited by criminal networks in the manufacturing of illicit drugs. [2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 29. Digital dimension: no. ### 30. Action item 300030 Common Criminal Law Standards on Illicit Firearms Trafficking — The Commission will present a legislative proposal establishing common criminal law standards for illicit firearms trafficking, accompanied by a new EU Action Plan against firearms trafficking targeting the licit market, criminal supply chains, intelligence, and international cooperation with Ukraine and the Western Balkans. [legislation 2025; Action Plan 2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 30. Digital dimension: no. ### 31. Action item 300031 EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan against Drug Trafficking: The Commission will propose a new EU Drugs Strategy covering the full drug policy cycle and present an Action Plan against drug trafficking to disrupt trafficking routes and business models, while expanding the EU Ports Alliance to cover smaller and inland ports. [Action Plan 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 31. Digital dimension: no. ### 32. Action item 300032 EU Action Plan on Online Fraud: The Commission will present a dedicated Action Plan on Online Fraud to support prevention, more effective law enforcement action, and recovery of funds for victims of online financial crime. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 32. Digital dimension: no. ### 33. Action item 300033 DSA Guidelines on Protection of Minors: The Commission will adopt guidelines for online platform providers on ensuring a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors, covering age verification, risk management, and content moderation obligations under the Digital Services Act. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 33. Digital dimension: no. ### 34. Action item 300034 EU Privacy-Protective Age Verification Solution: The Commission will facilitate an interim EU age verification solution to protect minors online ahead of the full rollout of the EU Digital Identity Wallet by end of 2026. [2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 34. Digital dimension: no. ### 35. Action item 300035 Action Plan on Protection of Children against Crime: The Commission will present a comprehensive Action Plan covering online and offline dimensions of crimes against children, including child sexual abuse, grooming, cyberbullying, and radicalisation, building on the forthcoming EU Centre to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. [2027] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 35. Digital dimension: no. ### 36. Action item 300036 Action Plan against Cyberbullying: The Commission will present an EU Action Plan against cyberbullying to support victims, strengthen platform responsibilities, and coordinate Member State and stakeholder responses to online harassment. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 36. Digital dimension: no. ### 37. Action item 300037 EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (2026–2030): The Commission will present a renewed anti-trafficking strategy covering prevention, prosecution and victim support at EU and international levels, building on the recently updated legal framework. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 37. Digital dimension: no. ### 38. Action item 300038 EU Strategy on Victims' Rights: The Commission will present a new EU Strategy on Victims' Rights to reduce harm from crime and terrorism, strengthen support services, and build societal trust in justice systems, building on the existing Victims' Rights Directive. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 38. Digital dimension: no. ### 39. Action item 300039 EU Agenda on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism: The Commission will adopt a new comprehensive counter-terrorism agenda setting out future EU action on radicalisation prevention, online terrorist content, financing, public space protection, and crisis response, complemented by a new Joint Action Plan with the Western Balkans. [2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 39. Digital dimension: no. ### 40. Action item 300040 EU Crisis Protocol Amendment: The Commission will amend the EU Crisis Protocol for a joint law enforcement and tech industry response to terrorist attacks, ensuring scalability and flexibility to address the growing online dimension of attacks in coordination with the EU Internet Forum. [2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 40. Digital dimension: no. ### 41. Action item 300041 Explosives Precursors Regulation Revision: The Commission will present a legislative proposal to revise the Regulation on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, extending coverage to high-risk chemicals used by terrorists, complementing parallel action on firearms. [2026] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 41. Digital dimension: no. ### 42. Action item 300042 EU Visa Policy Strategy: The Commission will present a dedicated Visa Policy Strategy to fully integrate security considerations into the EU's visa regime, including measures on misuse of visa-free arrangements and strengthening information-sharing requirements for third countries on individuals posing security threats. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 42. Digital dimension: no. ### 43. Action item 300043 Joint Operational Teams and Fusion Centres in Third Countries: The Commission, with the High Representative, will set up joint operational teams and fusion centres bringing together EU and local law enforcement experts in strategic third countries to support real-time information sharing and joint investigations. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 43. Digital dimension: no. ### 44. Action item 300044 Joint Inspections in Third Country Ports: The Commission, with the High Representative, will coordinate joint inspections in third country ports to help strengthen the security of logistics hubs abroad and disrupt illicit trafficking at source. [by 2027] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 44. Digital dimension: no. ### 45. Action item 300045 EU-Interpol International Agreement: The Commission will finalise negotiations on an EU-Interpol international cooperation agreement to ensure a more unified approach to global security threats and transnational crime. [from 2025] Provenance: source document doc-031, paragraph 45. Digital dimension: no. ## Referenced entries - [EU Visa Policy Strategy]() — status: delivered. EU Visa Policy Strategy sets out changes to make visa tools more responsive to readmission, security and border-management cooperation. In 2026, the Commission plans a new framework for visa-exemption assessments, a Visa Code revision and the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. The measures cover restrictive visa options, digitalised procedures, travel-document security, longer-validity multiple-entry visas, support for innovation talent, border-management IT and a proposed EU Visa Support Office within a revised Frontex mandate. Source document doc-031, action item 300042: > EU Visa Policy Strategy: The Commission will present a dedicated Visa Policy Strategy to fully integrate security considerations into the EU's visa regime, including measures on misuse of visa-free arrangements and strengthening information-sharing requirements for third countries on individuals posing security threats. [from 2025] - [Action Plan against Cyberbullying]() — status: delivered. The Commission will present a comprehensive EU approach to prevent, detect and respond to cyberbullying, with a primary focus on minors and youth. It will set a common EU definition, promote national strategies and focal points (e.g. trusted flaggers), and prioritise vulnerable groups including girls and women, LGBTIQ youth, migrants and persons with disabilities. Actions span prevention and digital well-being, safer product design, streamlined reporting and takedown (scaling good practices like France’s App 3018), victim support, and proportionate responses to perpetrators. Delivery will leverage and enforce the DSA, BIK+ and victims/VAW directives, with progress monitored through Safer Internet Centres, BIK policy reports and DSA enforcement. Source document doc-031, action item 300036: > Action Plan against Cyberbullying: The Commission will present an EU Action Plan against cyberbullying to support victims, strengthen platform responsibilities, and coordinate Member State and stakeholder responses to online harassment. [2026] - [EU Action Plan on Online Fraud]() — status: forthcoming. The EU Action Plan on Online Fraud is a forthcoming Commission initiative announced in the 2030 Consumer Agenda and action plan for consumers in the single market, adopted on 19 November 2025. The Commission says online fraud schemes are among the fastest growing crimes online and are causing significant harm to consumers. To strengthen the ability to combat online fraud in the EU, it will publish an action plan on online fraud. Its goals will include boosting prevention measures, making law enforcement action more effective and strengthening support for fraud victims in recovering their funds. The Consumer Agenda does not give a date for the action plan's publication. Source document doc-031, action item 300032: > EU Action Plan on Online Fraud: The Commission will present a dedicated Action Plan on Online Fraud to support prevention, more effective law enforcement action, and recovery of funds for victims of online financial crime. [from 2025] - [Roadmap on Lawful and Effective Access to Data]() — status: delivered. The Roadmap for lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement sets out the conditions that should govern access to digital evidence. It says access must be necessary, proportionate, founded on clear, precise and accessible legal rules, subject to independent oversight and accompanied by effective remedies. The roadmap identifies deleted data, jurisdictional conflicts, difficult device forensics, encryption and limited analytical capacity as obstacles to obtaining criminal evidence. Source document doc-031, action item 300007: > Roadmap on Lawful and Effective Access to Data: The Commission will present a roadmap setting out legal and practical measures to ensure law enforcement authorities can access data lawfully and effectively, prioritising a review of EU data retention rules and a Technology Roadmap on encryption to identify solutions enabling lawful access while safeguarding cybersecurity and fundamental rights. [Roadmap H1 2025; encryption roadmap 2026] ## Current developments Latest updates from Digital Policy Alert and Global Trade Alert. No reviewed developments available; this does not establish that no developments exist. ## Associated policy priorities - [External Strategy, Security & Democratic Resilience]() ## Broader policy context (shared priority; not a direct citation) - [Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone Security]() — status: delivered. Action Plan on Drone and Counter-Drone Security prioritises a Drone Security Package, coordinated risk assessment and industrial coordination to address drone threats. Proposed actions include registration and direct remote identification for drones above 100g, D-TECT Forum launch in Q2 2026, a Drone Security Toolbox and an EU Trusted Drone Label. The plan also covers resilience testing for critical infrastructure, training, cellular detection, voluntary deployment and procurement, annual exercises, a centre of excellence and cooperation with Ukraine. - [Action Plan on the Cybersecurity of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers]() — status: delivered. Healthcare cybersecurity action is centred on a European Cybersecurity Support Centre, sector-specific guidance, maturity assessment and incident-response support. Planned measures include a rapid-response service in the EU Cybersecurity Reserve, a Health Cybersecurity Advisory Board, a network of health CISOs, cyber exercises and a ransomware recovery subscription service. The plan also covers cyber hygiene, threat intelligence, procurement guidance, training, regulatory mapping and international cooperation. - [Digitalisation of Return Case Management]() — status: forthcoming. The Commission will table a dedicated initiative to digitalise Member States’ return case management, as part of a new common approach on returns. COM(2025) 101 sets a common return system and, in Art. 42(1)(d), makes national digital systems for return/readmission/reintegration a core component; a separate act will specify interoperability, once-only data flows and statistics. The Commission’s Political Guidelines commit to digitalising case management; von der Leyen’s 17 March letter signalled presentation by end-2025. A 2026 consultation under the Work Programme will prepare governance and implementation, aligning with SIS/Eurodac and digital-by-default delivery while ensuring uniform practice across the Union. - [DigitalJustice@2030]() — status: delivered. The Commission's justice digitalisation programme will expand shared tools, data availability and cross-border digital cooperation. It plans a repository of digital justice tools, an IT toolbox, exchanges among Member States and guidance on high-risk AI. Other actions cover legal and judicial-data reuse, common videoconferencing requirements, remote participation in criminal hearings, support for national digitalisation and further development of the European Electronic Access Point. - [EU Action Plan on Cable Security]() — status: delivered. EU Action Plan on Cable Security aims to prevent, detect and respond to risks affecting submarine cables. By Q4 2025, the Commission, Member States and ENISA are to complete cable mapping, a coordinated risk assessment, a Cable Security Toolbox and a priority list of Cable Projects of European Interest. Further measures address investment, integrated surveillance, regional hubs, sensors, surveillance drones, incident reporting, repair vessels and spare parts, alongside crisis response, NATO cooperation, diplomacy, sanctions and attribution. - [European Centre for Democratic Resilience]() — status: not recorded. The Centre will be the operational backbone of the European Democracy Shield, uniting national capabilities to detect, analyse and attribute foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). It will pool open-source intelligence, media forensics and platform signals, provide rapid alerts and incident-response templates, and coordinate joint attribution with partners. The Centre will convene Member States and neighbouring countries, standardise methodologies, and channel support to independent media and media-literacy initiatives. By closing gaps between monitoring, policy action and sanctions, it will strengthen deterrence, help protect elections and debate, and build a European capacity against hybrid threats. - [European Democracy Shield]() — status: delivered. It will harden democratic resilience by combining early detection of foreign information manipulation, coordinated analysis and rapid response across the Union. A new European Centre for Democratic Resilience will pool national expertise and capacities as the hub for monitoring, attribution and joint action with partners. The Shield will leverage the EU’s FIMI toolbox and the Digital Services Act, expand media- and digital-literacy efforts, and strengthen crisis communication to counter disinformation systematically. It complements a forthcoming Media Resilience Programme supporting independent journalism, and is anchored in upgrades to EU internal-security governance. Work will also address harmful social-media design and youth well-being through expert advice on safeguards and enforcement. - [European Preparedness Union Strategy]() — status: delivered. The Preparedness Union Strategy would improve EU anticipation, coordination and response across crises through an EU risk and threat assessment, crisis dashboard and an upgraded Emergency Response Coordination Centre. It also proposes stockpiling, minimum preparedness requirements, revised civil-protection arrangements, early-warning guidance and preparedness training. The strategy includes measures for public-private continuity planning, population self-sufficiency during extreme disruptions, EU-wide exercises, civil-military coordination and cooperation with partner countries. - [European Space Shield]() — status: forthcoming. The European Space Shield is a proposed flagship within the Readiness Roadmap for defence readiness. It would establish and protect a European system of space capabilities for defence purposes, building on EU space systems and national capacities. The roadmap envisages endorsement of the shield as a priority flagship, coordinated prioritisation through space and defence programmes, coordination with Member States' procurement plans, and the shield's launch. - [Europol & Eurojust Revision]() — status: in progress. Europol & Eurojust Revision seeks to modernise Eurojust's legal framework and strengthen cross-border criminal-justice cooperation. The proposal addresses structural and operational constraints identified by the 2025 evaluation, improving governance and operational performance, cooperation with EU partners and third countries, and analytical and proactive capacity. It would expand Eurojust's mandate to cybercrime, gender-based violence and violations of EU restrictive measures, while reinforcing coordination with Europol and supporting work on serious and organised cross-border crime. - [Frontex Revision & EU Visa Support Office]() — status: forthcoming. Frontex is slated for a stronger mandate and reinforced standing corps, allowing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to expand its presence and operational support. The Commission also assigns Frontex a stronger role in supporting Member States with returns and places a visa strategy among measures aimed at attracting international talent and reducing administrative barriers. - [Harmonised EU Framework for Data Retention]() — status: forthcoming. The Commission is preparing an impact assessment on data retention by service providers for criminal proceedings. The work responds to divergent national rules and the absence of an EU-wide framework, which authorities identify as an obstacle to investigations and cross-border cooperation. Consultations will examine the obstacles, possible non-regulatory and regulatory responses, and impacts on citizens' security, electronic-communications services and the protection of fundamental rights. - [International Digital Strategy]() — status: delivered. International Digital Strategy would extend EU digital cooperation through partnerships, dialogues, trade agreements and infrastructure with trusted partners. The programme covers secure connectivity, Digital Public Infrastructure, AI, software, submarine cables, satellite connectivity, quantum research, semiconductors, high-performance computing, cybersecurity and digital identity. Measures include the Digital Partnership Network, additional bilateral and regional partnerships, EU Tech Business Offer, support for Arctic, MEDUSA and Blue-Raman cables, and integration work on the EU Digital Identity Wallet with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans. - [New Strategic EU-India Agenda]() — status: delivered. Europe have tabled a Strategic EU–India Agenda that elevates the partnership across five pillars: prosperity, technology, security, connectivity and enablers. It prioritises concluding an FTA and an Investment Protection Agreement, alongside Global Gateway investments and supply-chain de-risking via the EU–India TTC (chips, solar, APIs). It deepens digital cooperation (e.g. trusted data flows, secure 5G/6G and interoperable digital public infrastructures) and expands joint R&I in AI, HPC/quantum and space. A Security and Defence Partnership with a Security of Information Agreement will underpin maritime, cyber and hybrid resilience. Delivery will be steered by an annual summit, upgraded TTC, and an EU–India Business Forum. - [Strengthening EU Economy Security]() — status: delivered. Strengthening EU Economy Security centres on faster risk assessment, shared intelligence and action to reduce dependencies in critical supply chains, technologies and infrastructure. The Commission proposes an Economic Security Information Hub, stronger coordination with Member States, an adviser group involving businesses, trade-resilience information and an expanded Observatory on Critical Technologies. It will also consider funding safeguards, foreign-investment screening guidance, dual-use export-control evaluation, trade-defence tools, customs measures, procurement preferences and restrictions on high-risk suppliers. - [Team Europe]() — status: delivered. Aligns the EU, Member States, the EIB/EBRD, agencies and the private sector to act as one, pooling finance, expertise and diplomacy for maximum impact. Born during COVID-19, it is now the default delivery model for international partnerships and Global Gateway. It coordinates over 160 Team Europe Initiatives and mobilised €179 billion in 2021–2023, underpinned by instruments such as the €40 billion EFSD+ guarantee and regular Global Gateway business fora, with governance via a Board, Business Advisory Group, and a Civil Society & Local Authorities platform. By joining up investments, reforms and standards, Team Europe scales high-standard projects worldwide and strengthens EU strategic influence. - [The Pact for the Mediterranean]() — status: delivered. The EU will forge a new pact with Southern Neighbourhood partners, building on the 2021 Agenda, with a strong digital pillar to deepen political engagement and cooperation. Priorities include secure connectivity under Global Gateway (most visibly the MEDUSA submarine cable linking the northern and southern shores and boosting regional capacity) alongside resilient cable and satellite links. Cooperation will use Trade & Technology-style dialogues, Cyber Dialogues, and association to Horizon Europe and Digital Europe, embedded in tailor-made Comprehensive and Strategic Partnerships (e.g. Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan). Work will advance trusted 5G/cable security, skills and innovation, and gradual policy harmonisation supporting integration with EU digital rules where relevant. - [White Paper for European Defence]() — status: delivered. The White Paper invites Member States to increase collaborative defence procurement and proposes fast consideration of SAFE and the European Defence Industry Programme. It calls for military support to Ukraine and greater integration of Ukraine's defence industry, mobility corridors and access to EU space-based governmental services. Further measures include a defence-industry dialogue, a Defence Omnibus Simplification proposal, an armament technology roadmap and military-mobility action. --- [Reading guide and interpretation notes]() · [Methodology]()