WE NEED MORE EUROPE AND NOT LESS TO COMBAT TERRORISM

In the face of brutal Jihadist terror, we need more Europe and not less. We need more Europe in coordinating anti-terrorism policies. We need more Europe to strengthen cooperation among national intelligence services and to reinforce control of our external borders. We need more Europe through an effective PNR mechanism that goes hand in hand with right to data protection. We need more Europe in allowing member states the flexibility to have extra spending on counter-terrorism exempted from EU fiscal rules. And what is certain is that we need more Europe and not less in the fight against Daesh, cutting their funding channels.

Europe cannot allow itself to be changed by terrorism. It will not be easy, it will take time, but united, we will overcome this new threat.

We must be determined to respond with resolve and resilience, and at the same time to uphold our values of tolerance, democracy and respect for fundamental rights. Combating terrorism is a common European responsibility.

Law enforcement authorities across Member States, including specialised law enforcement agencies all work for the same purpose: the security of citizens. We need to understand that collectively, we are all safer. The threats we face are common. Our approaches to the threats need to be common too. This is not a competition. We reinforce each other if we cooperate. Information is already being exchanged at various levels  but we need more of it, not less. Cross checking data, facilitating information sharing, and providing analytical and operational assistance to the national services on the ground is what is called for.

What has happened in Belgium today should remind us that we still need to do much more. Now is the time to act and to strengthen European cooperation. 

European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC)

The launch of the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) as of January 2016 followed a decision from the EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in November 2015. ECTC will be an enhanced central information hub by which the Member States can increase information sharing and operational coordination. The ECTC will improve the exchange of information between law enforcement agencies.

The new ECTC has been set up within the current organisational structure of Europol that is already playing an important part in the European response to terrorist threats. 
 

The ambition for the European Counter Terrorism Centre is to become a central information hub in the fight against terrorism in the EU, providing analysis for ongoing investigations and contributing to a coordinated reaction in the event of major terrorist attacks.

Europol has used this trend of increased information sharing to upgrade its counter terrorism capabilities. The aim is to raise trust and awareness among the different counter terrorism authorities in the EU and maximise existing capabilities. By serving as a centre of expertise, ECTC will focus on tackling foreign fighters, sharing intelligence and expertise on terrorism financing , online terrorist propaganda and extremism (Internet Referral Unit), illegal arms trafficking and international cooperation to increase effectiveness and prevention.

Europol will provide the Member States, and its key partners like Interpol and Eurojust, with new possibilities to ensure the most effective management of counter terrorism intelligence.

The ECTC is led by Mr Manuel Navarrete Paniagua, a high ranking officer of the Spanish Guardia Civil with extensive practical counter terrorism experience. Currently, 39 staff members and 5 seconded national experts work in the ECTC. Working alongside other operational centres at Europol, such as the European Cyber Crime Centre (EC3), the ECTC is a constituent part of the Operations Department of Europol, under the general command of its Director, and serves to augment the organisation’s capabilities as the EU’s law enforcement agency.