The Hindu : E.U. outlines strategy to combat terrorism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 27, 2004

International

International

E.U. outlines strategy to combat terrorism

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, MARCH 26. European Union leaders, meeting at a summit here, have outlined a strategy to combat terrorism but have given only a half-hearted endorsement to the anti-terror solidarity clause, under which Governments are required to give assistance to any member state under terrorist attack.

The practical measures of the strategy have yet to be finalised as some members have sought clarifications.

However, the members resolved unanimously to share intelligence to ensure inter-state co-operation to face the challenges posed by terrorist organisations. The leaders decided to build a "civil protection" mechanism and the counter-terrorism strategy will be co-ordinated by a new official, Gijs de Vries, who was appointed yesterday. Mr. de Vries, who works in the Dutch Interior Ministry, will work under Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign and security policy co-coordinator and chief.

Currently, there are 34 counter-terrorism agencies operating throughout the E.U. and the task of co-coordinating their activities is rated as "monumental and challenging".

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