On October 7, the Spanish Ministry of Interior unveiled its proposal to establish a European Centre for Missing Persons, highlighting the support from AMBER Alert Europe (AAEU) in its announcement. This initiative received further attention from Spanish media outlets, emphasizing the collaboration between the initiative and AMBER Alert Europe alongside the staunch backing from the Foundation for the European Centre for Missing Persons. Various news agencies and local newspapers underscored the alignment of this initiative with the Common European Approach championed by AMBER Alert Europe and the Police Expert Network on Missing Persons (PEN-MP).

Additionally, the media spotlighted statements from Frank Hoen, the Founder and Chairman of AMBER Alert Europe. Hoen lauded Spain’s proactive stance and the diligent efforts of CNDES (Centro Nacional de Desaparecidos) as significant strides forward. He appreciated the Spanish Presidency’s endeavour to address this issue and foster discussions on launching a European Centre for Missing Persons. He emphasized the crucial nature of this centre due to the high number of missing individuals and the profound impact on their families, envisaging it as a hub for coordination, knowledge, training, research, technology, and best practices to aid police forces across all EU member states.

On October 9, the Spanish Ministry of Interior released an official press statement concerning the European Centre for Missing Persons. The document commenced with an acknowledgment of the support from AMBER Alert Europe, quoting Chairman Frank Hoen.

Background: AMBER Alert Europe studying thoroughly the plans of the EU Council Spanish Presidency, revealed their aspiration to create a European Centre for Missing Persons. This information, found on the webpage dedicated to the event “Best Practices in the Area of Missing Persons” by the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council, was further verified during the visit of the Foundation to Madrid from September 10 to 12. AMBER Alert Europe and the Spanish Ministry of Interior enjoy longstanding close cooperation, fortified by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018 and annual collaborative efforts for preventive campaigns. On October 3, AMBER Alert Europe became the first civil society organization in Europe to publicly support the Spanish proposal for the creation of a European Centre for Missing Persons.

AMBER Alert Europe continues to champion the cause of the European Centre for Missing Persons, in close alliance with the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council. With over a decade of expertise, particularly in the realm of missing children and law enforcement cooperation, the Foundation is well-poised to collaborate with all EU Institutions and beyond to advance this noble cause.

Ministry of Interior of Spain featuring AMBER Alert Europe
Ministerio del Interior | España lidera la propuesta de crear un Centro Europeo para Personas Desaparecidas. 
Ministry of Interior of Spain announcing its initiative about the European Centre on Missing Persons. 

Spanish media outlets featuring AMBER Alert Europe
España aspira convertirse en modelo para la creación de un Centro Europeo para Personas Desaparecidas – Infobae
España propone crear un Centro Europeo para Personas Desaparecidas – El Periodico de Ceuta
España aspira convertirse en modelo para la creación de un Centro Europeo para Personas Desaparecidas (europapress.es)
España agiliza la creación de un Centro Europeo para Personas desaparecidas (elidealgallego.com)

Links concerning the information mentioned in the article
Page dedicated to the Spanish Presidency event “Best Practice Guide on Missing Persons”
AMBER Alert Europe’s Open Statement supporting the Spanish initiative for creation of European Centre for Missing Persons