EU anti-terrorism

For a long time after the 9/11 attacks, European co-operation in the fight against terrorism was more of a challenge than a reality. Only after 191 people lost their lives in the March 2004 Madrid bombings did the EU create the job of anti-terrorism coordinator. It went to Netherlands politician, Gijs de Vries.

From the very outset he stressed the importance of Interpol and Eurojust as bodies which facilitate the cross-border exchange of information between police forces, investigating judges and prosecutors. He also called for the creation of laws to prevent the financing of terrorism.

"Terrorists need money, we must make sure they don't get it, and again that takes international cooperation," he said.

Although the exchange of information and increased surveillance across the bloc were not enough to prevent the July 2005 London bombings which killed more than 50 people, police and secret services say they have since thwarted several more attacks.

A new man at the helm

In 2007 de Vries handed over the reigns to Belgium's Gilles de Kerchove, who has repeatedly warned that the security threat is still alive and well; most recently following the killing of Osama bin Laden.

At the time he said the al-Qaeda leader's death would further weaken the group's core, but stressed that "the impact of Osama bin Laden as a symbol will most likely keep inspiring affiliated groups and individuals for some time." Vigilance, he said in conclusion, is a must.

The EU's anti-terrorism measures were criticized from the outset, but have come under ever greater fire as citizens have grown impatient with the numbers of surveillance cameras in public places, tight airport security controls and the storage of bank and communication data - deemed by many to violate their right to freedom.

German Green Party Member of the European Parliament, Jan-Philipp Albrecht, has called for a general overhaul of the Union's strategies.

"We should check their efficiency and perhaps correct or even withdraw one or other of the measures which might have been introduced hastily in the heat of the moment."

Data retention is necessary

He cites the retention of communications data as one measure in need of review. Kerchove, however, says because a growing number of suspicious persons are totally unknown to the police and security services, it is necessary to check suspicious trips, behavior, payments and telephone calls.

"The threat has changed, so we have to collect data," he said. "But at the same time, we have to improve data protection. We have to do more of both."

De Kerchove's official title is that of 'coordinator,' which means he is principally responsible for coordinating national security policies. And although, as set out in the Lisbon Treaty, some of his duties may eventually fall to the European Commission, he believes he has his work cut out for a long time to come.

Author: Christoph Hasselbach / tkw
Editor: Rob Mudge