Abstract:
In response to ‘The Hague Programme’, the
first OCTA was introduced and later endorsed
by the Council during their meeting on 1-2
June 2006. The OCTA, and the ensuing Council
Conclusions based on the OCTA from 2006 and
2007, have already had a significant impact on
law enforcement work throughout Europe.
This third OCTA will provide an important platform
for the evaluation of the Council
Conclusions of 2006 and 2007.
The OCTA covers the EU. However, it cannot be
neglected that Europe, due to its geography
and its cultural, social and historical differences,
is not a homogeneous structure and so may
also require a regional priority setting. Therefore,
although the European dimension is the
prime focus, the OCTA also accounts for regional
divergences. In order to enhance the understanding
of events within the EU, consideration
of the international arena is at times necessary.
To support decision-makers in the best possible
way, the OCTA provides a well-targeted
qualitative assessment of the threat from OC.
The OCTA is based on a multi-source
approach, including law enforcement and
non-law enforcement contributions. These
include various European agencies as well as
the private sector. A specific emphasis is put
on elaborating the benefits of an intensified
public-private partnership. The OCTA helps to
close the gap between strategic findings and
operational activities. The OCTA helps to identify
the highest priorities, which will then be
effectively tackled with the appropriate law
enforcement instruments. The OCTA suggests
strategic priorities, but it needs to be realised
that the OCTA itself is not detailed enough to
pinpoint specific criminal investigations.
The structure of the 2008 OCTA follows the
general conceptual model for the analysis,
starting with an assessment of the OC groups,
followed by an analysis of the criminal markets
and ending with an assessment of the regional
dimension of OC impacting on the EU.
The OCTA is always being enhanced. Methodological
and other issues are continuously
being addressed in close cooperation with the
Member States to allow for the further
enhancement of the OCTA. The methodology
and procedures for its completion have been
amended. Overall, the changes which have
been introduced have all contributed to
enhancing the quality of the OCTA.
The OCTA does not cover terrorism or terrorist
networks.
