Europol: “Europe facing most serious terrorist threat in ten years”

Europol, in cooperation with the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), on February  7 and 8 of this year, had organised an extraordinary meeting of representatives from EU member states, Norwegian and Swiss police organisations, held in Berlin. The almost 100 participants gathered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss means of enhancing coordination in European-wide police efforts to fight terrorism. The meeting was called in response to several serious terrorist incidents in recent months and the heightened threat of jihadist terrorism in general.

At an earlier meeting in December 2016, Gilles de Kerchove, EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator said:

“we have to be vigilant, since the threat posed by the so-called Islamic State (IS) and returning foreign fighters is likely to persist in the coming years. These people are trained to use explosives and firearms and they have been indoctrinated by the jihadist ideology. An effective response requires a comprehensive approach and long term commitment. Of course, the primary responsibility in the fight against terrorism lies with the Member States. However, the EU and its agencies such as Europol can and should play a supportive role that helps respond to the cross-border nature of the threat.”

As in December, key topics of discussion were the current state of terrorist threat, best practice methodologies and enhanced use of the European Counter-Terrorism Centre (ECTC) at Europol. Aim of the centre is to increase “the information sharing and operational coordination between national counter terrorism agencies.”

The meeting concluded with the decision to:

“reinforce national and European arrangements for cooperation via ECTC, including through the establishment of an operational steering board of leading Member States and Europol.”

Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol, stressed that:

“Europe is facing the most serious terrorist threat for over ten years. The increasing transnational nature of terrorist groups and their activities demand ever closer collaboration between relevant law enforcement authorities across Europe. The European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) has been established at Europol for this purpose. I am pleased by the confidence expressed in the work of this centre by the police chiefs meeting in Berlin and by their clear commitment to enhance collaboration efforts even further.”

Even though Europol…

readmore>>
gatestone