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EUHR Solana on Terrorism and Intelligence Co-operation

Summary: June 8, 2004: Summary of remarks by Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, on Terrorism and Intelligence Co-operation (Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting - Luxembourg) (Brussels)

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, made the following remarks today at a joint press conference with Gijs de VRIES, on the occasion of the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, where he presented to EU Ministers of the Interior his report on terrorism and intelligence co-operation:

"I have just presented a proposal to the Ministers of the Interior of the 25 Member States aiming at improving the Union's intelligence co-operation.

The proposal's focal point consists of charging the EU's Joint Situation Centre (SITCEN) with the production of intelligence analyses with a view to support EU policy making. I look forward to the endorsement of the ideas contained in this proposal by EU Heads of State and Government at their next meeting in June.

The Heads of the Security Services of the Member States have been consulted on, and have given their support to the proposal, which I believe constitutes a good basis to reach a final consensus at the next European Council.

Importantly, the proposal would be built on the existing co-operation within the SITCEN, established between the external intelligence services of Member States since early 2002.

Contained in my proposal are three core ideas that I hope the European Council of June will endorse:

1. moves by the heads of the EU's 25 Security Services to meet regularly together as a group in the format of the existing Counter-Terrorist Group (CTG);

2. the work of the CTG would allow for close co-operation in the field of analytical exchange between Security Services and would provide scope for improved operational co-operation;

3. moves by the European Police Office (EUROPOL) to reactivate their Counter-Terrorist Task Force and efforts to improve the flow of criminal intelligence to EUROPOL.
What would all this mean? Mainly three things:
1. EU decision makers would be better informed, inter alia, about threats, terrorist methods, organisation of terrorist groups, and thus better prepared to devise effective EU counter-terrorist policies;

2. Member States would receive better support from European bodies. They would get assessment material from the EU's SITCEN, and their police services in particular would get better support from EUROPOL;

3. Member States would retain the lead in the operational field, but would be working more closely together through CTG, EUROPOL, as well as through existing bilateral arrangements, to strengthen information exchange and co-operation."



  • Ref: CL04-108EN
  • EU source: Council
  • UN forum: 
  • Date: 8/6/2004


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See also
 

European Union Member States