Irish Presidency announces plans to combat terrorism
01 March 2004
Statement from the Irish presidency website:
European Council to Focus on Fight Against Terrorism
this statement as a
pdf file
15 Mar 2004
Speaking as President of the European Council, the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, made the following statement today (15th March 2004) on proposals to counter terrorism in the aftermath of the 11th March terrorist attacks in Madrid.
"The callous and cowardly attacks on 11 March served as a terrible reminder of the threat posed by terrorism to our society. We condemn utterly those who planted the bombs that wrought such destruction and cost so many lives last Thursday. The attacks in Madrid were an attack against the very values on which the Union is founded.
There can be no justification whatever for acts of terrorism. The European Union will not be deflected from the pursuit of democracy or justice by these desperate acts. We stand in solidarity with the Spanish people and pledge ourselves to combat all forms of terrorism within our power in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
In the European Security Strategy, adopted by the European Council last December, terrorism was identified as one of the key threats to EU interests. The Irish Presidency, working in close association with the Commission and Secretary-General/High Representative Solana, is committed to combating the terrorist threat. We are committed to accelerating implementation of the European Security Strategy recommendations on terrorism.
The Presidency will consult with partners and with the European Commission with a view to bringing forward a package of measures to the European Council on 25/26 March. These measures will, in the interim, be prepared by Permanent Representatives before being considered as a matter of urgency by a special early meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 19 March and the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 22 March. The meetings of both groups of Ministers will pave the way for the European Council to bring forward measures to enhance our work on combating terrorism.
Solidarity clause
As President of the European Council I will seek the agreement of Heads of State and Government to a political commitment to assume obligations contained in the Solidarity Clause which is included in the draft Constitution for Europe. This will reinforce the Union's efforts to combat terrorism. It provides for Member States to come to the assistance of each other in response to new threats, arising from terrorist and non-State entities, directed against civilian populations and democratic institutions in the EU.
Other proposals on which the Presidency will seek early action include:
Adoption of a revised Action Plan on Terrorism
In the context of the European Security Strategy and reviewing the 2001 Plan of Action on Terrorism, the Presidency will bring forward a revised Strategy to combat terrorism. This will identify high-level priority objectives, covering all aspects of EU activities in this area. A Comprehensive Implementation Plan will follow, which will identify key tasks under each objective, specific achievable targets and the EU bodies responsible for delivery.
Appointment of Security Coordinator
We will consider the appointment of a security coordinator to enhance cooperation between EU bodies and third countries and streamline activities in the fight against terrorism.
Enhanced Intelligence Cooperation
We will strive to improve mechanisms for cooperation between police and security services and promote effective, systematic collaboration in intelligence services between Member States.
The Guidelines for a Common Approach to the Fight Against Terrorism
A speedy and final agreement on the draft Guidelines for a Common Approach to the Fight against Terrorism would demonstrate the commi