Ministers, port operators and law‑enforcement representatives convened in Dublin on 16 July as part of the Irish EU Council presidency to advance co‑operation aimed at protecting European ports from organised crime and drug smuggling.
Ministers and industry meet at Dublin Castle and Dublin Port
The gathering marked the third ministerial meeting of the European Ports Alliance Public‑Private Partnership (EPA‑PPP), which was launched in January 2024 to improve the security and resilience of EU ports. It took place alongside an informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs ministers under Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Attendees included government ministers, port authorities, representatives of European industry associations, officials from EU agencies and personnel from customs and law enforcement.
Speakers highlight ports as front line against trafficking
Opening remarks were delivered by Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and by the European Commissioner responsible for internal affairs and migration. A keynote on drug trafficking through ports was given by the executive director of the EU Drugs Agency, followed by a panel discussion featuring senior officials from tax, customs and port organisations and a private‑sector security lead.
"Ní neart go cur le chéile — strength in unity — is the motto of the Irish Presidency," said the Irish justice minister, linking the alliance’s work to the broader EU priorities for confronting serious and organised crime.
The meeting focused on practical collaboration between public authorities and private port operators to detect and deter illicit flows arriving by sea. Panel participants included leaders from the European Commission’s taxation and customs directorate and from major European port organisations, alongside national revenue and private‑sector security representatives.
- Objective: Reinforce port defences against organised crime and drug trafficking.
- Forum: Third ministerial EPA‑PPP meeting, Dublin.
- Participants: Ministers, EU agencies, customs, law enforcement, port bodies and private companies.
Implications and next steps
The gathering underscores the EU’s ongoing push to integrate public‑ and private‑sector capabilities for maritime security. By combining regulatory authorities, customs expertise and port operators’ intelligence, the alliance aims to make interception of illicit consignments more systematic. The meeting is set against the backdrop of the EU’s ProtectEU Strategy, which lists disruption of organised criminal networks as a key priority.
| Type of participant | Representative(s) |
|---|---|
| National government | Justice and Home Affairs ministers |
| EU institutions | European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and EU Drugs Agency |
| Customs and taxation | DG TAXUD and national revenue officials |
| Ports and industry | Port authorities, industry associations, private security |
The EPA‑PPP’s work will continue to be a focal point for the Irish presidency as it pursues measures to strengthen cross‑border co‑operation and information‑sharing to counter serious and organised crime at maritime entry points.
