Thank you Alexis, thank you Franz, 

And I would also like to thank the staff of the EUDA, whose hard work has made this years European Drug Report a success.

Good policies are based on solid evidence - this is a core part of our thinking as the European Commission.

We rely on the expertise and analysis of our agencies to form that evidence base.

For 30 years, the European Drug Report has provided us with critical evidence to shape the EUs policies on illegal drugs and our response to the trafficking networks.

This evidence base has helped us evolve our responses to meet the challenges of an increasingly connected EU and world.

As a Union, we have come a long way in better security cooperation.

But today, we face new and more difficult challenges.

This years report highlights the widespread use of cocaine as deeply concerning - I was shocked by the increase in cocaine seizures.

A high number of seizures is a testament to our law enforcement but also speaks to the scale of the problem.

Another important issue is the significant rise in synthetic stimulants and new methods of producing synthetic drugs.

These trends show the constantly evolving nature of both illegal drugs and the criminal networks involved.

Our new internal security strategy, ProtectEU, is our response to these new threats.

Under ProtectEU, we will take the fight to organized crime.

• By following the money, with new and more intense efforts to cut off funding and seize the illegal profits from the drug trade.

• Through our new EU Ports Strategy, which will build on the successful Ports Alliance for faster and more efficient controls at EU ports.

• And by developing a new EU Drugs Strategy and an Action Plan against drug trafficking - including a new legal framework on drug precursors.

Most of all, what we hear from those fighting drugs on the ground is that they need better access to data.

• Most investigations (85%) rely on access to digital information.

• In many cases, investigators hands are tied. They cannot share or retain important data,

• Or even when criminals are caught, it makes it hard to secure a conviction.

Under ProtectEU, we are planning a careful approach to improving lawful access to data.

• We will take the time needed to get this right

• Working with stakeholders - including privacy advocates - to ensure concerns are addressed.

• As you can see, turning ProtectEU from a strategy into a reality will take a lot of work.

• Which is also why it is my top priority as Commissioner.

It will also take a lot of cooperation, at all levels:

• We need to support Member State law enforcement cooperation across borders,

• We need better international cooperation - through new security agreements with our partners.

We also need our EU Agencies to work more closely with each other.

• Whether EUDA, Europol, Frontex, or Eurojust, your work is mutually reinforcing.

• Lets make sure we maximize those synergies.

If we do these things - and I am confident we can - we will drive down the supply of illegal drugs and disrupt the criminal networks harming our societies.

And most importantly, we can save lives.

Thank you.