Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

The establishment of the EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator (CTC) was agreed by the European Council (§14) (PDF File 126 KB) on 25th March 2004 in the wake of the Madrid bombings. Mr. Gijs de Vries was appointed to that position. His main tasks are to co-ordinate the work of the Council of the EU in combating terrorism, to maintain an overview of all the instruments at the Union’s disposal, to closely monitor the implementation of the EU Action Plan (PDF File 358 KB) on Combating Terrorism, and to secure the visibility of the Union’s policies in the fight against terrorism. He has no coordination role within the Commission or among EU bodies.

"This page of the Sub-section related to the European fight against terrorism gives a general presentation in two parts: Part I covers the latest developments which occurred within the recent years. Part II gives a general view of the accomplishments and the acquis at European level of the matter concerned."

Mandate of the EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator

Extract of the declaration (PDF File 128 KB) on combating terrorism as adopted by the European Council at its meeting on 25th March 2004.

“Establishment of the Position of a Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

The European Council emphasises that a comprehensive and strongly coordinated approach is required in response to the threat posed by terrorism.

The European Council accordingly agrees to the establishment of the position of a Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator.

The Co-ordinator, who will work within the Council Secretariat, will co-ordinate the work of the Council in combating terrorism and, with due regard to the responsibilities of the Commission, maintain an overview of all the instruments at the Union’s disposal with a view to regular reporting to the Council and effective follow-up of Council decisions.

The European Council welcomes the decision of Secretary General/High Representative Solana to appoint Mr. Gijs de Vries to the position of Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.”

I) Latest developments

The EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator has been playing an influential role in pressuring the Member States to rectify their failure to adopt or implement measures adopted at EU level. He has also produced policy papers that have been useful for discussions in Council as for instance on “legislative instruments to fight terrorism: monitoring of the implementation of UN and EU legislation of terrorism” and the working structures of the Council in terrorism matters. He also produced a paper on the financing of terrorism in 2004 which together with a Communication by the Commission contributed to the initial formulation of a policy in this field.

Mr. de Vries has been giving visibility to the EU’s fight against terrorism by travelling to third countries where he communicates the EU counter terrorism policy. His work in monitoring Member States with regard to the implementation of the Strategy (PDF File 104 KB) and Action Plan on Radicalisation and Recruitment that was adopted in December 2005 by the Council will also be welcome and a crucial aspect to its success.

II) General context

The changing nature of the threat of terrorism, due also to the phenomenon of globalisation, has increased the EU’s profile in the fight against terrorism. Since the attacks of September 11th 2004 in the U.S and of 11th March 2004 in Madrid, the EU has made important strides in the fight against terrorism. Apart from developing various policies in the whole spectrum of the fight against terrorism – from prevention to protection to pursuit to crisis management – the EU has been doing its best to ensure that its approach is as integrated as possible. The creation of the office of Counter-Terrorism Coordinator within the Council Secretariat must therefore be viewed as a response to the desire for a more integrated approach to the fight against terrorism and a better coordination between various policies. This approach has also been taken by the Commission. In fact, a High Level Inter-Service group was established also in 2004 that is co-chaired by DG JLS and DG RELEX. This group further ensures overall supervision over the state of implementation of the EU Counter Terrorism Strategy (PDF File 193 KB) and Action Plan (PDF File 358 KB).