Tampere European Council

In October 1999 the Tampere European Council adopted a comprehensive approach to reinforce the fight against serious crime. This included a number of new initiatives designed to foster police cooperation. It agreed that common definitions, common incriminations and common sanctions should be focused on cross-border crime. The Tampere Council presented a strong political message to reaffirm the EU’s wish to overcome difficulties with prosecuting all forms of cross-border crime, while protecting the freedom and legal rights of individuals and economic operators. (See organised crime)