Dear Members of the Riksdagen,

Fellow Europeans,

Our security efforts must begin with a clear vision: what do we aim to achieve? For me, the answer is straightforward: we want to create safe and secure conditions for our citizens to stay free.

Free to walk the streets, surf the internet, and travel across the EU and beyond. To hold different opinions and express them openly. To practice any religion they choose.

This simple vision guides everything we do.

It underpins our new internal security strategy, ProtectEU.

Today, we confront a variety of new security challenges.

Challenges that jeopardize the fundamental freedoms our citizens cherish.

Driven by technology and global instability, criminal networks are now more sophisticated, more international, and, above all, more ruthless than ever.

They operate across borders and in cyberspace, trafficking drugs through complex routes and altering production sites. They utilize social media to recruit new members—often children—and they carry out hits on their enemies online. They employ AI, drones, and soon will leverage quantum computers for their operations.

Another concerning trend is the connection between state actors outside our borders and the criminal networks within them. We observe a rise in gig economy ties to criminal gangs executing hybrid attacks in the EU. This not only amplifies the reach of Russian aggression but also injects additional funds into the EUs criminal economy.

I recognize that these issues are a priority in Sweden, and I applaud your efforts to intensify the national fight against them. Your new regulations on seizing unexplained assets are especially commendable.

However, given the magnitude of these challenges, it is evident that no single country can tackle these threats alone.

We must elevate our security collaboration to the highest level—just as we have in other domains, like the Single Market.

Through ProtectEU, we will propose a series of ambitious measures:

A new strategy to combat organized crime, incorporating harmonized definitions and a tougher follow the money approach.

A new EU Ports Strategy to enhance the seizure of illegal drugs entering the EU.

And new regulations on firearm trafficking.

These changes require increased resources. We plan a significant expansion of Europol to enhance its operational capacity, aiding Member States and improving coordination.

Additionally, we need to bolster data access for law enforcement. I understand this is a contentious topic, but in a world where digital evidence is increasingly crucial, our investigators and prosecutors are hampered.

Preventable crimes are occurring. Detained criminals are being released instead of prosecuted.

Thus, we must progress. However, we must do so cautiously, considering the legitimate privacy and security concerns of some. A Roadmap on Data Access will be forthcoming, outlining our direction.

Ultimately, the success of ProtectEU hinges on our collective ability— as a Union—to collaborate at all levels. This includes the EU working with national governments and parliaments, as well as engagement with cities and regions, educators, tech firms, and port operators. Security must be a whole of society approach.

The encouraging news is that everywhere I go, I witness a willingness to act. I am optimistic that we can realize our vision: safer streets with fewer illegal drugs, a safer internet, and safer travel.

In short, more freedom for our citizens.

Thank you.