Koumoutsakos presents plan against networks of refugee traffickers at EU meeting

As per a ministry statement, the initiative includes a series of operational measures to effectively tackle the phenomenon of human trafficking inside and outside the European Union and follows up on measures implemented at national and European level. 

These measures take into account the high level of adaptability of these illegal networks and the increased interconnection of various criminal activities. 

The plan proposes an increased cooperation among Europol, Frontex, Interpol and the European Asylum Support Office but also among member states on the exchange of information and the establishment of a security information panel.

It also proposes cooperation with non-EU countries like Turkey, Pakistan, Iran and others, in view of a possible establishment of Europol liaison offices. 

The Greek proposal underlines the need to crack down on the use and distribution of counterfeit documents and the creation of an information portal within Europol, concerning counterfeit documents and digital copies of counterfeit documents that trade in networks of traffickers. 

The proposal also includes thorough scrutiny of the financial transactions of criminal networks and the detection of transactions carried out through social networks.