2. A number of specialized and decentralized EU agencies have been established to support the EU Member States and their citizens. These agencies are an answer to a desire for geographical devolution and the need to cope with new tasks of a legal, technical and/or scientific nature. The EU’s agencies are grouped into 4 different categories: Community agencies Executive agencies Common Foreign and Security Policy agencies Agencies have been set up to carry out very specific technical, scientific and management tasks within the framework of European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) – the "second pillar" of the EU. Police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters agencies Another group of agencies has been set up to help the EU Member States co-operate in the fight against organized international crime. This co-operation in criminal matters is the "third pillar" of the EU.

4. The European Defense Agency was established under a Joint Action of the Council of Ministers on 12 July, 2004 in order to: 1.improve the EU's defense capabilities especially in the field of crisis management; 2.promote EU armaments cooperation; 3.strengthen the EU defense industrial and technological base and create a competitive European defense equipment market; 4.promote research, with a view to strengthening Europe's industrial and technological potential in the defense field. Consequently, the Agency's current tasks include: 1.to create a comprehensive and systematic approach when defining and meeting the needs of the European Security and Defense Policy; to promote defense equipment collaborations between the EU Member States; 2.to assist in the development and overall restructuring of the European defense industry; 3.to promote EU defense-related Research and Technology, while keeping in mind European policy priorities; 4.to work, in close cooperation with the Commission, for the development of an internationally competitive market for defense equipment in Europe.

5. The European Union Institute for Security Studies (ISS) was set up in 2002 Its aim is to help create a common European security culture, to support the strategic debate by providing the best possible interface between European decision-makers and the diverse circles of non-official specialists. The Institute contributes to the development of the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) by executing several main tasks: 1.Organizing research and debate on key security and defense issues 2.Bringing together academics, officials, experts and decision-makers from the EU member states, other European countries, the United States and Canada in order to provide a forward-looking analysis on defense issues for the EU's Council of Ministers and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). 3.Developing a transatlantic dialogue on all security issues among the countries of Europe, the United States and Canada in order to raise the profile of the transatlantic relationship and enrich both sides’ approaches to security issues. 4.Offering fellowships in order to expand its network of contacts and synergies with national think tanks. Visiting Fellowships are given to junior academics from all European countries, while Senior Visiting Fellowships are granted to well-known experts. The Institute has an autonomous status and intellectual freedom

6. The European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC) was set up in 2002, and became operational in January 2002. It is an Agency of the Council of the European Union dedicated to the exploitation and production of information deriving from the analysis of earth observation space imagery. It aims at supporting EU’s decision- making in the field of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CSFP). The EUSC has its own legal personality in order to carry out its functions and is under the political supervision of the Political and Security Committee of the Council and the operational direction of the Secretary general. It is located in Torrejón, in the vicinity of Madrid in Spain.

8. European Police College (CEPOL) CEPOL - brings together senior police officers across Europe with the aim to encourage cross-border cooperation in the fight against crime, maintenance of public security and law and order. Established as an agency of the European Union (EU) in 2005 The CEPOL Secretariat is managed by a director that is accountable to the CEPOL Governing Board which is made up of representatives from the EU Member States. The Chair of the Governing Board is a representative of the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Governing Board normally meets four times a year and has established four committees: 1.Annual Programme Committee(APC) 2.Budget and Administration Committee(BAC) 3.Strategy Committee(SC) 4.Training and Research Committee (TRC) CEPOL Secretariat has about 25 staff members who carry out the day-to-day work, within two units: the Programme Unit and the Administration Unit.

9. European Pólice Office (EUROPOL) Europol was set up in 1992 to handle Europe-wide criminal intelligence. Its staff includes representatives of the national law enforcement agencies. Europol's aim is to help the EU member states co-operate more closely and effectively in preventing and combating organized international crime, in particular: drug trafficking immigration networks vehicle trafficking trafficking in human beings including child pornography forgery of money and other means of payment trafficking in radioactive and nuclear substances terrorism Europol supports member states by: 1.facilitating the exchange of information between Europol and Europol Liaison Officers (ELOs). 2.providing operational analysis and supporting Member States’ operations; 3.providing expertise and technical support for investigations and operations carried out within the EU, under the supervision and the legal responsibility of the Member States; 4.generating strategic reports (e.g. threat assessments) and crime analysis on the basis of information and intelligence supplied by Member States or gathered from other sources. One of Europol's additional duties is to establish and maintain a computerized system to allow the input, access and analysis of relevant data. A Joint Supervisory Body, comprising two data protection experts from each EU country, ensures the proper use of all personal data held by Europol. Europol is accountable to the Justice and Home Affairs Council, i.e. the justice and home affairs ministers of all the EU countries.

10. The European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (EUROJUST) Eurojust is a new European Union body established in 2002 to enhance the effectiveness of the competent authorities within Member States when they are dealing with serious cross-border and organized crime. Eurojust stimulates and improves the coordination of investigations and prosecutions and also supports the Member States in order to render their investigations and prosecutions more effective. Eurojust fulfils a unique role as a new permanent body in the European legal area. Its mission is to enhance the development of Europe-wide cooperation in criminal justice cases. This means that Eurojust is a key interlocutor with the European institutions such as the Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The College of Eurojust is composed of 27 national members, one nominated by each EU Member State. The national members are senior, experienced prosecutors or judges; some national members are supported by deputies and assistants.