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Fight against terrorism
Terrorist attack in Kaboul
(18/09/2009)
"On behalf of the European Commission and on my own behalf, I would like to offer you and the people of Italy our sincere condolences, and the expression of our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the families of the six Italians soldiers who were victims of the dreadful terrorist attack yesterday in Kaboul. In this dark hour, allow me to express a condemnation in the strongest terms of this horrible terrorist attack and the support to the Italian efforts in contributing to peace in Afghanistan." That was the message sent by president Barroso to Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic.
Declaration from the President following the terrorist attack in Burgos in Spain
(29/07/2009)
‘On behalf of the European Commission and also on a personal level, I wholeheartedly condemn the attack on a Civil Guard barracks in Burgos. I also wish a speedy recovery to the many people who were injured as a result of this brutal and indiscriminate act of violence. Once again, I would like to express the unconditional solidarity of the European Commission with citizens and democratic Spanish institutions in the fight against terrorism.’
- Read the declaration in Spanish
Northern Ireland: loyalist groups to disarm
(27/06/2009)
"This is a further important step, underpinning the remarkable political progress which has been achieved in recent years" said president Barroso after the announcement that loyalist groups in Northern Ireland are to engage in significant acts of weapons decommissioning. "It will assist in advancing the transformation sought by all the people of Northern Ireland". The EU has been a consistent and active supporter of the Northern Ireland peace process at every stage and president Barroso met the leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive on three occasions over the last years, including a visit to Belfast in May 2007.
- Read the full statement
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Terrorist attack in Spain
(19/06/2009)
President Barroso expressed his solidarity and sympathy with the citizens of Spain, its institutions and the Spanish prime minister José-Luis Zapatero who heard with him the terrible news during the European Council meeting in Brussels. "On behalf of the Commission and on my own behalf,” he said, “I would just like to firmly condemn the attack which led to the death of Eduardo Antonio Pueyes Garcia a Spanish police officer. I would like to express my condolences for his family and friends and the security forces in Spain."
Meeting with the First Minister of Northern Ireland
(31/03/2009)
Following the establishment of a Commission Task Force to coordinate assistance to Northern Ireland, president Barroso met with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, where they presented a Northern Irish Action Plan. President Barroso paid tribute to the leadership and commitment of Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness to strengthen the democratic institutions and peace process in Northern Ireland following the recent murders of members of the security forces.
Terrorist attack in Spanish Basque Country
(03/12/2008)
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission and also in a personal capacity, the President expressed his rejection and condemnation of the assassination by terrorists of Basque businessman Ignacio Uría Mendizábal. He extended his condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones before reiterating the ‘European Commission’s complete solidarity with citizens and Spanish democratic institutions in the fight against terrorism.’
- Read the statement
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Condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Spain
(22/09/2008)
Speaking for himself and on behalf of the European Commission from New York where he is participating in the United Nations General Assembly, President Barroso condemned the attacks in the towns of Vitoria, Ondarroa and Santona, which killed a Spanish army officer and left many more people injured.
- Read the statement
Critical Infrastructure Protection
(06/06/2008)
The Justice and Home Affairs Council 5-6 June has reached political agreement on a Commission proposal for a Directive on the identification and designation of European Critical Infrastructure (ECI) and the assessment of the need to improve their protection. The entry into force of the Directive is envisaged before the end of 2008.
Managing our borders together
(13/02/2008)
New Commission proposals promise to increase security though better border control while easing cross-border travel for legitimate travellers.
Statement on the assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto
(28/12/2007)
I learned with dismay of the assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto, chairperson of the Pakistan peoples party, today in Rawalpindi. The European commission strongly condemns this callous terrorist attack perpetrated less than two weeks ahead of election day. This is an attack against democracy and against Pakistan. We send our condolences to the family of Mrs Bhutto and to the family of the other victims. We hope that Pakistan will remain firmly on track for a return to democratic civilian rule.
Stepping up Europe's capability to protect citizens against terrorism
(06/11/2007)
The European commission adopted a new package of proposals aimed at improving the EU's capabilities to fight terrorism. The package contains a series of proposals dealing with the criminalisation of terrorist training, recruitment and public provocation to commit terrorist offences, the prevention of the use of explosives by terrorists and the use of airline passenger information in law enforcement investigations.
Not sexy but essential!
(07/10/2007)
Globalisation, fight against terrorism, sustainable energy, climate change, Europeans' purchasing power ; the EU has the right answer to all these challenges. This might just be the storyline of the "new European story" that president Barroso and his commission want to pen before the end of their mandate. It won't necessarily be popular among Europeans but there is every chance it'll lead them to a happy end!
- Read the full article
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Commission adopts green paper on bio-preparedness
(11/07/2007)
The risk of a biological terrorist attack is statistically low, but its consequences could be devastating. The aim of this green paper adopted by the Commission is to stimulate debate and launch a consultation process at European level on how to reduce biological risks and enhance preparedness.
Eurojust celebrates its fifth anniversary
(17/04/2007)
Serious organised crime across Europe is being stamped out thanks to the coordinated action of the EU’s cross-border crime unit Eurojust which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. Bringing a Europe-wide serial killer to trial in Germany, dismantling a credit card fraud network in Romania, arresting 35 suspects for armed robberies in Italy – these are just some of the cases Eurojust has helped to solve so far this year. “People are asking for ‘more Europe’ in order to combat terrorism and organised crime. They know that the efficient answer to these challenges is the European answer,” President Barroso said.
Commission takes first step towards improving critical infrastructure protection
(02/02/2007)
How can the protection of European critical infrastructure in the energy and transport sectors be improved if no common definition has been agreed? To answer this fundamental question, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the protection of critical infrastructure in energy and transport setting out criteria which can be used to identify European infrastructure in this area.
Europol to become a more effective EU agency to help police cooperation between the Member States
(20/12/2006)
The European Police Office (Europol) is about to be transformed. In order to give the Office a more flexible operating framework, the Commission has put forward a proposal that would make Europol more flexible and effective in its task of assisting the Member States in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and all forms of serious crime.
Time to step up action- enhancing European prevention, preparedness and response to terrorism: Commission allocates €9m
(26/10/2006)
The European Commission today decided to allocate €9m for to the pursuit of anti-terrorism measures, initiated under the "Pilot Project Fight against Terrorism". This includes actions in relation to critical infrastructure protection, terrorist financing, explosives and violent radicalisation.
Vice-President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, stated that "the actions financed under this project will enhance the European Union’s capacity to effectively prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. It will assist in better protecting critical infrastructures, preventing terrorist financing, the use of explosives and violent radicalisation and increase Bio-preparedness, by training intervention personnel and by identifying key objectives and proper measures to protect our citizens"
How to fight terrorism and crime more effectively and enhance protection for citizens? The Commission adopts a green paper on detection technologies for law enforcement authorities
(04/09/2006)
Commission has adopted a Green Paper on detection technologies for law enforcement, customs and other security authorities to further enhance the interaction between public and private sectors and help Member States acquire the best tools available at the lowest possible cost.
“Recent events in the UK have further underlined that detection devices must be continuously improved in order to reflect the ever changing threat posed by terrorists and criminals and to ensure that people are able to travel safely. Modern detection technologies have therefore an important role to play in the fight against crime and terrorism", said Vice-President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security.
The Commission launches preparatory action in favour of victims of terrorism
(07/07/2006)
A preparatory action with a budget of 2 millions euros has been put in place yesterday to support projects in favour of victims of terrorist acts. It aims at promoting the European dimension of support actions in favour of victims or mobilizing the public. The call for proposals has been opened today.
The Commission has adopted on the 6th July 2006 a funding decision for a preparatory action in favour of victims of terrorism.
Vice-President Franco Frattini, European Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, has stressed the opportunities offered by this kind of action: "Today, in this sad anniversary of London tragedy, the fate of victims shall more than ever withhold our attention aid for the victims is a crucial stake of the Union's counter-terrorism strategy. At the third Convention of victims of terrorism, in Valencia, in February 2006, I backed the idea of a European charter recognizing the condition of victims of terrorism. This action might support such a project".
Commission’s role in the fight against terror and its response to the London bombings
(13/07/2005)
Speaking at a joint press conference with Vice President Frattini on 13 July 2005, President Barroso said: “We know that the threat that has struck in London can strike again. It can strike anywhere in our Member States, at any time. In response to this threat against our common values, the European Union will stand together ever closer and intensify mutual support and assistance.”
One year after the terrorist attack in Madrid
(11/03/2005)
Looking back at the terrorist attack in Madrid in March 2004, President Barroso stated: “Preventing and combating terrorism has become one of the EU's greatest challenges. I am fully aware that threats to security are one of our citizen's main worries. 8 out of 10 European citizens fear terrorism. The overwhelming majority, 83%, believe in the added value of EU action against terrorism and therefore demand further EU action. This has therefore been named as one of the priorities of my Commission in its 5-year Strategic Objectives […]
The March 11 events revealed how serious and complex the threat is. Our response has to be effective in the long term. We will fight terrorism by the law and within the law. Fighting terrorism is about preserving our most fundamental and cherished human rights. In the fight against terrorism, we must uphold those very same principles we are so adamant to defend. Our campaign, therefore, has to be resolute and systematic and solidly anchored in respect for human rights and the rule of law.“
Fighting terrorism together in the EU
(10/3/2005)
Speaking at the international summit on democracy, terrorism and security in Madrid, President Barroso commented: “The attacks of 11 March 2004, as well as the attacks in the U.S of 11 September 2001, and similar attacks like the ones in Morocco (Casablanca), Tunisia (Djerba), Turkey (Istanbul), Indonesia (Bali), Russia (Beslan and Moscow) and Iraq, have shown us is that terrorism is a serious threat that concerns us all. Terrorism is a global phenomenon, and the struggle against it must therefore be carried to the world stage. It requires determination and unity. The reaction of the European Union and of its partners to the terrorist threat has shown that we do not shy away from the challenge. Terrorists will not win. They will not make progress. We will stand firm.”