Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-09-15-Speech-3-005"
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".
Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@en4
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"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@cs1
"Hr. formand, i lørdags mindedes vi, at verden pludselig ændrede sig for tre år siden. I denne redegørelse vil jeg gerne starte med at se tilbage og forklare grundlaget for vores politik, hvorefter jeg vil tale om den aktuelle situation i kampen mod terrorisme, før jeg taler om det hollandske formandskabs arbejdsprogram. Til slut vil jeg tale lidt om samarbejdet med Rusland.
Jeg går nu over til formandskabets program. Det hollandske formandskabs arbejdsprogram på antiterrorområdet er omfattende og vidtrækkende. Det har foruden et kraftigt fokus på gennemførelse af EU-foranstaltninger og -lovgivning taget nye initiativer på mange områder. Et vigtigt værktøj på dette område er EU's handlingsplan for bekæmpelse af terrorisme. Handlingsplanen blev vedtaget af Det Europæiske Råd efter de skrækkelige terrorangreb i Madrid i marts 2004. Formandskabet har et tæt samarbejde med EU's antiterrorkoordinator, Gijs de Vries, om at gennemføre og fuldstændiggøre denne handlingsplan.
De nøgleområder, som formandskabet særligt ønsker at fremme, er retlige og indre anliggender, forbedring af samarbejde mellem efterretningstjenester, forebyggelse af finansieringen af terrorisme og styrkelse af EU's udenrigspolitik og bekæmpelse af terrorisme.
På området for retlige og indre anliggender vil vi fokusere på gennemførelsen af foranstaltninger som den europæiske arrestordre. Vi skal også forbedre samarbejdet mellem vores efterretningstjenester. Underbyggede oplysninger om, hvad terrorister planlægger og forbereder at gøre, er vores første forsvarstaktik. EU's handlingsplan har allerede skitseret nogle af de skridt, vi agter at tage, og hr. de Vries er fuldt involveret i denne proces. Vi er i gang med at styrke EU's situationscenter, som skal medvirke til at samle analyser om terrorisme i Europa. Vi skal også styrke Europols rolle og sikre os, at Europol kan spille sin rolle. I den nærmeste fremtid skal EU's ministre for retlige og indre anliggender mødes med de amerikanske ministre for at drøfte, hvordan vi kan styrke det transatlantiske samarbejde i kampen mod terrorisme.
Forebyggelsen af finansieringen af terrorisme er højt prioriteret. Selv om EU har gået forrest i kampen mod terrorisme, kan vi ikke læne os tilbage og slappe af. Penge er terrorismens livsnerve, og vi skal styrke vores finansielle systemer, så de ikke misbruges af terrorister. Det tredje direktiv om hvidvaskning af penge er et frisk pust i denne sag. Vi skal også styrke vores politikker, så vi kan fastfryse terroristernes aktiver. Derfor forsøger vi at gøre EU's clearinginstitut mere effektivt og sikre bedre gennemførelse. Endelig vil vi prøve at forhindre pengekurerer i at omgå banklovgivningen, når de tager deres penge med i kontakter på tværs af grænserne.
I vores udenrigspolitik ønsker vi at sikre, at EU's ressourcer bruges fuldt ud for at samarbejde med andre lande i kampen mod terrorisme. Som allerede nævnt er terrorisme et fænomen, som ikke respekterer de internationale grænser. Det er vores faste overbevisning, at vi skal arbejde sammen med tredjelandene for at fremme ratificeringen og gennemførelsen af FN's konventioner mod terrorisme og bruge den politiske dialog og tekniske bistand til at støtte de samarbejdsvillige lande. EU er allerede aktiv i Indonesien, Filippinerne og Pakistan med gennemførelse af specifikke programmer. EU iværksætter også andre programmer i forskellige lande for mere generelt at styrke deres retssystemer. Vi mener, at EU bør yde en større indsats, og derfor taler vi med en række lande for at finde ud af, hvordan vi kan forbedre vores samarbejde.
Det fører mig videre til terrorisme i Rusland. Rusland er meget bekymret over terrortruslen, og det med god grund. Det er ikke kun en bekymring, men et virkeligt problem for Rusland, som har haft tre store angreb på godt en uge. Vi skal vise - og har også vist - vores medfølelse. Det står klart, at EU altid systematisk har fordømt alle terrorhandlinger. Russerne fortjener al den støtte, vi kan give dem. Derfor står vi bag Rusland for at hjælpe med at bekæmpe terrorismen. I vores dialoger med Rusland har vi allerede løbende drøftet antiterrorisme. Vi er parate til at øge samarbejdet på teknisk niveau og dele EU's erfaringer med bekæmpelse af terrorisme. Vi vil bruge vores regelmæssige dialoger med Rusland til at drøfte, hvordan vi kan komme videre på dette område. Vi er villige til at drøfte strategier og metoder til bekæmpelse af terrorisme med russerne, så vi kan lære af hinanden.
Dette samarbejde er en del af vores overordnede strategi om at styrke forbindelserne mellem EU og Rusland. Det er en del af vores mål om at gøre mere håndgribelige fremskridt inden for alle fire fælles rum på næste topmøde den 11. november. Vi har gjort fremskridt inden for ekstern sikkerhed. Men interaktionen bør gå hånd i hånd med opbygningen af samarbejde inden for det fælles rum for sikkerhed indadtil.
Terrorangrebene har givet Moskva anledning til fortsat at betragte Tjetjenien som et overvejende terrorrelateret problem. Dette giver anledning til bekymring. Vi har været konsekvente i holdningen om, at menneskerettighederne skal respekteres i kampen mod terrorisme. EU har en klar holdning til situationen i Tjetjenien. Vi vil forsat tilkendegive denne holdning over for Rusland fremover.
Jeg vil kort omtale terrorangrebet i Beslan. Vi har fordømt dette angreb fuldstædigt og uforbeholdent og kondoleret over for ofrenes familier, den russiske regering og den russiske befolkning. Derfor støtter vi fuldt ud Deres initiativ, hr. formand, om, at skolerne i hele Europa i går til middag skulle iagttage et minuts stilhed til minde om ofrene for dette terrorangreb. På den måde kan vores børn vise verden deres sorg over ofrene og deres bekymring over terrorismen. Det er nu op til os som politikere at omsætte disse bekymringer til mere konkret handling og sætte ekstra ind i kampen mod terrorisme, mens vi samtidig respekterer vores grundværdier.
Siden den 11. september 2001 har det stået klart, at terrorangrebene er tættere på os, end vi ønskede at tro. Det er en trussel, som vi ikke kan se bort fra. Vi har alle set de rædselsvækkende terrorangreb på fjernsyn. Vi er vidner til disse angreb og bærer også et fælles ansvar for at sikre, at de ikke gentager sig. Det, vi så både uden for EU - i Jakarta, Beslan, Afghanistan og Mellemøsten - og i EU - i Madrid for seks måneder siden - kræver handling nu og fremover. Hvert angreb stiller nye spørgsmål, som kræver nye svar og giver nye udfordringer, som vi skal tage op i fællesskab gennem konkret handling. Vi skal beskytte vores borgere bedre. Vi skal fortsat se på vores politiske instrumenter i tæt samarbejde med andre. Der findes ingen hurtige løsninger på terrorproblemet. Den lange kamp mod terrorisme er kendetegnet ved to nøgleord, nemlig beskyttelse og samarbejde samt beskyttelse gennem samarbejde.
Hvad angår beskyttelse, har EU gjort meget de sidste tre år. Vi har forbedret lovgivningen og udvidet vores politiske instrumenter. Vi har udarbejdet og gennemført nye foranstaltninger til at beskytte grænserne, fly osv. Vi er begyndt at sætte sikkerheden højest, også på internationalt plan.
Hvad angår samarbejde, har terrorangrebene lært os, at sikkerhed på internt og eksternt plan ikke kan skilles ad. De er to sider af samme sag. Dette skyldes to grundlæggende ting. For det første er terrorisme grænseoverskridende, og for det andet er terrorisme en global trussel. Den kan ramme - og har faktisk også ramt - overalt i verden. Reel beskyttelse kan derfor kun etableres gennem internationalt samarbejde. Vi skal også se nøje på, om vores fremgangsmåde er afpasset efter vores partnerlandes, for at skabe tilstrækkelige muligheder for et tæt samarbejde. National og international handling bør passes ind efter hinanden med henblik på gensidig styrkelse.
Terrorisme er ikke alene et angreb på vores politiske og økonomiske frihed, men også på vores normer og værdier såsom frihed, demokrati, tolerance og retsstatsprincippet, der er værdier, vi skal forsvare. Terrorisme er ikke alene et angreb på vestlige værdier, det er et angreb på almindelige værdier, som danner grundlag for FN. Den eneste måde at besejre terrorismen på er ved at konfrontere den. Derfor skal vi være stærke og aktivt bekæmpe dette mangehovedede uhyre. Man kan fristes til tro, at alle våben gælder i denne kamp. Men her skal vi være forsigtige. I vores fælles kamp bør vi opretholde de normer og værdier, som terrorismen ønsker at ødelægge.
Terrorisme handler i vid udstrækning om sikkerhed, som er grundlaget for vores eksistensberettigelse. Der er udarbejdet en sikkerhedsstrategi gennem forskellige processer, så vi kan sætte mere afgørende ind over for terrorister og forhindre nye angreb. FN står i centrum. FN's Sikkerhedsråds resolution 1373 har tvunget lande til at forbedre deres terrorpolitikker, ikke kun i ord, men også i gerning, ikke kun ved at forbedre gammel lovgivning eller ved at udarbejde ny lovgivning, men også ved at gennemføre den. Resolutionen indeholder bl.a. foranstaltninger til at bekæmpe finansieringen af terrorhandlinger og fremmer bestræbelser for at forebygge terrorhandlinger og strafforfølge terrorister. Antiterrorprogrammet, som er indarbejdet i FN's Sikkerhedsråds resolution 1373, bør derfor være det vigtigste globale referencegrundlag for handling - handling, som alle FN-medlemslande bør gribe til.
Inden for EU har Det Europæiske Råd og Rådet (almindelige anliggender) - samt andre rådssammensætninger såsom Rådet (retlige og indre anliggender) og Rådet (transport) og Økofin - aktivt fra og med den 11. september arbejdet på at udarbejde, gennemføre og forbedre en omfattende EU-handlingsplan. Dette omfatter bl.a. en europæisk arrestordre, fælles efterforskningshold, Eurojust og lovgivning om terrorfinansiering.
Vi har også været aktive på det udenrigspolitiske område. Det vigtigste spørgsmål om sikkerhed er kernen i den europæiske sikkerhedsstrategi, som bør bidrage til et stærkere multilateralt system. Den bør behandle forskellige trusler - herunder terrorisme - gennem aktiv, mere konsekvent optræden på internt og eksternt plan med stærkere kapaciteter og i tættere samarbejde med vores partnere.
Vi har også besluttet at indsætte en terrorismeklausul i nye aftaler med tredjelande svarende til menneskerettighedsklausulen. Det vil give os mulighed for at føre seriøse drøftelser med tredjelande, som ikke til fulde opfylder deres internationale forpligtelser i kampen mod terrorisme, herunder med hensyn til gennemførelsen af resolution 1373. Ved at bruge pisk og gulerod, hvor gulerødderne består i bistand, bruger vi EU's politiske og økonomiske magt i kampen mod terrorisme."@da2
".
Herr Präsident, am vergangenen Samstag erinnerten wir uns daran, dass die Welt vor drei Jahren plötzlich eine andere geworden war. Ich möchte zunächst zurückblicken und die Grundlagen unserer Politik erläutern, danach auf die aktuelle Lage im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus eingehen und anschließend das Arbeitsprogramm des niederländischen Ratsvorsitzes darlegen. Abschließend möchte ich mich kurz zur Zusammenarbeit mit Russland äußern.
Ich komme nun zum Programm des Ratsvorsitzes. Das Arbeitsprogramm der niederländischen Präsidentschaft auf dem Gebiet der Terrorismusbekämpfung ist umfassend und weitreichend. Neben der schwerpunktmäßigen Umsetzung der EU-Maßnahmen und -Rechtsvorschriften werden neue Initiativen in vielen Bereichen eingeführt. Ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel in dieser Sache ist der EU-Aktionsplan zur Bekämpfung des Terrorismus, der vom Europäischen Rat nach den schrecklichen Anschlägen in Madrid im März vergangenen Jahres verabschiedet wurde. Der Ratsvorsitz arbeitet eng mit dem Anti-Terror-Beauftragten der EU, Herrn Gijs de Vries, an der Umsetzung und Ergänzung dieses Aktionsplans zusammen.
Die wichtigsten Bereiche, in denen wir als Ratsvorsitz beträchtliche Fortschritte erzielen möchten, sind Justiz und Inneres, die Verbesserung der Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Nachrichtendiensten, die Verhinderung der Finanzierung terroristischer Handlungen sowie die Stärkung der EU-Außenpolitik und der Terrorismusbekämpfung.
In Bezug auf Justiz und Inneres konzentrieren wir uns auf die Umsetzung von Maßnahmen wie dem europäischen Haftbefehl. Ferner müssen wir die Zusammenarbeit unserer Nachrichtendienste verbessern. Unsere Verteidigungsstrategie ist zuvorderst von verwertbaren Informationen über Pläne und Vorhaben von Terroristen abhängig. Der EU-Aktionsplan enthält bereits einige unserer geplanten Schritte, und Herr de Vries ist in diesem Prozess voll engagiert. Derzeit verstärken wir das EU-Analysezentrum, dem bei der Erfassung von Analysen zum Terrorismus in Europa eine entscheidende Bedeutung zukommt. Auch die Rolle von Europol muss gestärkt werden, um sicherzustellen, dass es seinen Aufgaben nachkommen kann. In Kürze werden sich die Justiz- und Innenminister der Europäischen Union mit ihren amerikanischen Kollegen zusammensetzen und überlegen, wie wir die transatlantische Zusammenarbeit im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus ausbauen können.
Ganz oben auf unserer Tagesordnung steht die Verhinderung der Finanzierung von Terroranschlägen. Auch wenn sich die EU an vorderster Front im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus engagiert, können wir jetzt die Arme nicht in den Schoß legen. Geld ist das Lebenselixier des Terrorismus. Daher müssen wir unsere Finanzsysteme effektiver gestalten, um sicherzustellen, dass sie nicht von Terroristen missbraucht werden. Die dritte Geldwäscherichtlinie ist ein neuer Schritt in diese Richtung. Ferner müssen wir unsere Bemühungen verstärken, die Gelder von Terroristen einzufrieren. Daher streben wir an, die EU-Clearingstelle mit mehr Vollmachten auszustatten und eine bessere Umsetzung sicherzustellen. Und schließlich werden wir nach Wegen suchen, um zu verhindern, dass Geldkuriere Bankbestimmungen umgehen, indem sie Bargeld über die Grenze befördern.
In unserer Außenpolitik möchten wir sicherstellen, dass alle Ressourcen der Union vollständig ausgeschöpft werden, um gemeinsam mit anderen Ländern den Terrorismus zu bekämpfen. Wie ich bereits sagte, ist der Terrorismus ein Phänomen, das vor Ländergrenzen nicht Halt macht. Es ist unsere feste Überzeugung, dass wir zusammen mit Drittländern an der Ratifizierung und Umsetzung der gegen den Terrorismus gerichteten UN-Konventionen arbeiten müssen und mittels politischen Dialogs und technischer Unterstützung Ländern helfen müssen, die bereit sind zu kooperieren. Die EU engagiert sich bereits in Indonesien, auf den Philippinen und in Pakistan. Dort werden konkrete Programme umgesetzt. Auch in einigen anderen Ländern laufen EU-Programme, die im Allgemeinen auf die Stärkung der Justizsysteme abzielen. Wir meinen, dass die EU noch mehr tun sollte, und befinden uns daher mit einer Reihe wichtiger Länder im Gedankenaustausch, um herauszufinden, wie wir unsere Zusammenarbeit verbessern könnten.
Damit komme ich zum Terrorismus in Russland. Russland ist über die terroristische Bedrohung sehr besorgt, und das zu Recht. Doch ist es mehr als nur Besorgnis, nämlich ein echtes Problem für Russland, das in weniger als zehn Tagen drei schwere Anschläge erlebte. Wir müssen unser Mitgefühl zeigen, und das tun wir auch. Die Europäische Union hat natürlich stets alle Terrorakte systematisch verurteilt. Die Russen verdienen jede Unterstützung, die wir ihnen geben können. Daher unterstützen wir Russland in seinen Bemühungen, den Terrorismus zu bekämpfen. In unseren Gesprächen mit Russland steht das Thema Terrorismusbekämpfung regelmäßig auf der Tagesordnung. Wir sind bereit, die Zusammenarbeit auf technischer Ebene zu verstärken und unsere Erfahrungen weiterzugeben, die wir in der EU im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus gesammelt haben. Auf unseren regelmäßigen Treffen mit Russland werden wir erörtern, wie wir in dieser Sache weiter vorgehen sollten. Wir sind bereit, uns mit Russland über Antiterrorstrategien und -methoden auszutauschen, um voneinander zu lernen.
Diese Zusammenarbeit ist Teil unserer Gesamtstrategie zum Ausbau der Beziehungen zwischen der Europäischen Union und Russland. Wir streben u. a. an, auf dem kommenden Gipfel am 11. November greifbare Fortschritte in Bezug auf alle vier gemeinsamen Räume zu erzielen. Auf dem Gebiet der externen Sicherheit können wir bereits Fortschritte verzeichnen, doch sollte unser Zusammenspiel nicht losgelöst von der Ausgestaltung der Zusammenarbeit im gemeinsamen Raum der inneren Sicherheit erfolgen.
Die Terrorangriffe haben Moskau dazu veranlasst, Tschetschenien weiterhin vorrangig unter antiterroristischen Gesichtspunkten zu behandeln. Dies gibt Anlass zur Sorge. Wir haben stets den Standpunkt vertreten, dass im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus die Menschenrechte respektiert werden müssen. Die Europäische Union vertritt jedenfalls einen klaren Standpunkt zur Situation in Tschetschenien. Diesen Standpunkt werden wir auch weiterhin Russland gegenüber vertreten.
Ich möchte mich noch kurz zu dem Terroranschlag in Beslan äußern. Wir haben diesen Anschlag uneingeschränkt und bedingungslos verurteilt und den Angehörigen der Opfer, der russischen Regierung und dem russischen Volk unser Mitgefühl übermittelt. Daher fand Ihre Initiative, Herr Präsident, gestern Mittag in allen Schulen Europas eine Schweigeminute zum Gedenken an die Opfer dieses Terroranschlags einzulegen, unsere volle Unterstützung. Auf diese Weise konnten unsere Kinder ihre Trauer über die Opfer und ihre Besorgnis über den Terrorismus vor aller Welt bekunden. Es ist nun an uns, den Politikern, diese Sorgen in weitere konkrete Maßnahmen zu übertragen und unseren Kampf gegen den Terrorismus zu intensivieren, gleichzeitig jedoch unsere ureigensten Werte zu bewahren.
Seit dem 11. September 2001 steht fest, dass der Terror uns näher ist, als wir wahrhaben wollten. Vor dieser Bedrohung dürfen wir nicht die Augen verschließen. Wir alle haben die schrecklichen Terroranschläge im Fernsehen gesehen. Wir sind zu deren Zeugen geworden und daher gemeinsam dafür verantwortlich sicherzustellen, dass sie sich nicht wiederholen. Aufgrund der Geschehnisse sowohl außerhalb der Europäischen Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Irak, Afghanistan und dem Nahen Osten – als auch innerhalb der Europäischen Union – vor sechs Monaten in Madrid – besteht jetzt und auch in Zukunft Handlungsbedarf. Jeder Anschlag wirft neue Fragen auf, die neue Antworten und neue Herausforderungen erfordern, denen wir gemeinsam mit konkreten Maßnahmen begegnen müssen. Wir müssen unsere Bürger besser beschützen. In enger Zusammenarbeit mit anderen müssen wir unser politisches Instrumentarium immer wieder sorgfältig überprüfen. Für das Problem des Terrorismus gibt es keine Sofortlösung. Im langwierigen Kampf gegen den Terrorismus kommen einem vor allem zwei Begriffe in den Sinn: Schutz und Zusammenarbeit, aber auch die Wortverbindung „Schutz durch Zusammenarbeit“.
In der Frage des Schutzes hat sich in der Europäischen Union in den vergangenen drei Jahren viel getan. Wir haben unsere Rechtsvorschriften verbessert und unser politisches Instrumentarium erweitert. So haben wir neue Maßnahmen zum Schutz der Grenzen und von Flugzeugen eingeführt und umgesetzt. Auch auf internationaler Ebene haben wir damit begonnen, der Sicherheit oberste Priorität einzuräumen.
In punkto Zusammenarbeit haben die Terroranschläge uns gelehrt, dass innere und äußere Sicherheit voneinander untrennbar sind. Sie sind zwei Seiten einer Medaille. Dafür gibt es zwei Gründe: erstens kennt der Terrorismus keine Grenzen, und zweitens stellt er eine globale Bedrohung dar. Er kann überall auf der Welt auftreten – und so ist es auch gekommen. Ein wirklicher Schutz lässt sich nur durch internationale Zusammenarbeit erreichen. Ferner müssen wir genau darauf achten, ob unser Ansatz mit denen unserer Partnerländer harmoniert, damit sich genügend Möglichkeiten für eine intensive Zusammenarbeit ergeben. Nationale und internationale Maßnahmen müssen aufeinander abgestimmt werden, damit sie richtig greifen.
Der Terrorismus ist nicht nur ein Angriff auf unsere politische und ökonomische Freiheit, sondern auch auf unsere Normen und Werte: Freiheit, Demokratie, Toleranz und Rechtsstaatlichkeit – Werte, die wir verteidigen müssen. Der Terrorismus bedroht nicht nur westliche, sondern allgemeingültige Werte, die die Grundlage für die Vereinten Nationen bilden. Der einzige Weg, ihn zu bekämpfen, besteht darin, sich ihm entgegenzustellen. Daher müssen wir dieses vielköpfige Ungeheuer entschlossen und effektiv bekämpfen. Man könnte dem Gedanken erliegen, dass für diesen Kampf jedes Mittel recht wäre, doch müssen wir hier vorsichtig sein. Wir müssen in unserem gemeinsamen Kampf die Normen und Werte bewahren, die der Terrorismus zu zerstören versucht.
Terrorismus zielt vor allem auf den Kernbereich unseres Daseins ab: die Sicherheit. Wir haben auf verschiedenen Wegen einen neuen Sicherheitsansatz entwickelt, um Terroristen entschiedener entgegenzutreten und neue Anschläge verhindern zu können. Eine zentrale Rolle kommt dabei den Vereinten Nationen zu. In Resolution 1373 des UN-Sicherheitsrates werden die Staaten aufgerufen, verstärkt gegen den Terrorismus vorzugehen, und zwar nicht nur mit Worten, sondern mit Taten, nicht nur durch die Novellierung bisheriger Rechtsvorschriften oder den Erlass neuer Rechtsvorschriften, sondern auch durch deren Umsetzung. Diese Resolution enthält unter anderem Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung der Finanzierung von Terrorismus und fördert Bemühungen, die die Verhinderung von Terrorismus und die Bestrafung von Terroristen zum Ziel haben. Die in Resolution 1373 des UN-Sicherheitsrates eingebettete Agenda zur Bekämpfung des Terrorismus sollte daher als wichtigster globaler Orientierungsrahmen für Maßnahmen angesehen werden – für Maßnahmen, die von allen UN-Mitgliedstaaten ergriffen werden müssen.
In der Europäischen Union, im Europäischen Rat und im Rat „Allgemeine Angelegenheiten“ – aber auch in anderen Einrichtungen des Rates wie dem Rat für Justiz und Innere Angelegenheiten, dem Verkehrsausschuss und Ecofin – haben wir seit jenem 11. September aktiv an der Erstellung, Umsetzung und Verbesserung eines umfassenden EU-Aktionsplans gearbeitet. Dazu zählten unter anderem ein europäischer Haftbefehl, gemeinsame Ermittlungsteams, Eurojust und Rechtsvorschriften zur Verhinderung der Finanzierung terroristischer Handlungen.
Auch auf außenpolitischem Gebiet waren wir nicht untätig. Im Mittelpunkt der Europäischen Sicherheitsstrategie, die zu einem stärkeren multilateralen System beitragen soll, steht die Sicherheit. Durch aktive, besser abgestimmte Maßnahmen nach innen und außen, verstärkte Kapazitäten und enge Zusammenarbeit mit unseren Partnern sollte die Strategie gegen verschiedene Bedrohungen, wie den Terrorismus, gerichtet sein.
Ferner haben wir beschlossen, analog zur Menschenrechtsklausel eine Terrorismusklausel in neue Vertragsbeziehungen mit Drittländern aufzunehmen. Dies versetzt uns in die Lage, uns mit Drittländern ernsthaft auseinander zu setzen, die ihren Verpflichtungen auf internationaler Ebene im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus, auch bei der Umsetzung von Resolution 1373, nicht vollständig nachkommen. Durch Anwendung von Zuckerbrot und Peitsche – Zuckerbrot in Form von Hilfe – nutzen wir die politische und wirtschaftliche Kraft der Europäischen Union im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus."@de9
"Κύριε Πρόεδρε, το προηγούμενο Σάββατο είχαμε την επέτειο του γεγονότος ότι ο κόσμος άλλαξε ξαφνικά πριν από τρία χρόνια. Σε αυτή την παρουσίαση, θα ήθελα καταρχάς να ανατρέξω στο παρελθόν και να εξηγήσω τη βάση της πολιτικής μας και ακολούθως να εγκύψω στην παρούσα κατάσταση όσον αφορά την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας πριν προχωρήσω στο πρόγραμμα εργασίας της ολλανδικής Προεδρίας. Θα τελειώσω με λίγα λόγια για τη συνεργασία με τη Ρωσία.
Στρέφομαι τώρα στο πρόγραμμα της Προεδρίας. Το πρόγραμμα εργασίας της ολλανδικής προεδρίας στον τομέα της πάταξης της τρομοκρατίας είναι εκτεταμένο και ευρύ. Εκτός του ότι επικεντρώνεται στην εφαρμογή των μέτρων και της νομοθεσίας της ΕΕ, εμπεριέχει νέες πρωτοβουλίες σε πολλούς τομείς. Ένα σημαντικό εργαλείο σε αυτό το ζήτημα είναι το Σχέδιο Δράσης της ΕΕ για την πάταξη της τρομοκρατίας. Εγκρίθηκε από το Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο μετά τις φρικτές επιθέσεις στη Μαδρίτη τον περασμένο Μάρτιο. Η Προεδρία συνεργάζεται στενά με τον κ. Gijs de Vries, συντονιστή της ΕΕ για την πάταξη της τρομοκρατίας, για την εφαρμογή και συμπλήρωση του εν λόγω σχεδίου δράσης.
Βασικοί τομείς στους οποίους επιθυμούμε, ως Προεδρία, να κάνουμε κάποια ουσιαστικά βήματα είναι η Δικαιοσύνη και οι Εσωτερικές Υποθέσεις, η βελτίωση της συνεργασίας μεταξύ των υπηρεσιών πληροφοριών, η αποτροπή της χρηματοδότησης της τρομοκρατίας, η ενίσχυση της εξωτερικής πολιτικής της ΕΕ και η πάταξη της τρομοκρατίας.
Όσον αφορά τη Δικαιοσύνη και τις Εσωτερικές Υποθέσεις, θα επικεντρωθούμε στην εφαρμογή μέτρων όπως το ευρωπαϊκό ένταλμα σύλληψης. Πρέπει επίσης να βελτιώσουμε τον τρόπο συνεργασίας των υπηρεσιών πληροφοριών των χωρών μας. Η καλή πληροφόρηση όσον αφορά τα σχέδια και την προετοιμασία των τρομοκρατών αποτελεί την πρώτη γραμμή της άμυνας μας. Το Σχέδιο Δράσης της ΕΕ επισημαίνει ήδη κάποια από τα μέτρα που σκοπεύουμε να λάβουμε και ο κ. De Vries έχει δεσμευτεί πλήρως σε αυτή τη διαδικασία. Έχουμε ήδη ξεκινήσει τη διαδικασία ενίσχυσης του Κέντρου Αντιμετώπισης Κρίσιμων Καταστάσεων της ΕΕ, το οποίο είναι σημαντικό για τη συγκέντρωση αναλύσεων περί τρομοκρατίας στην Ευρώπη. Πρέπει επίσης να ενισχύσουμε τον ρόλο της Europol και να διασφαλίσουμε ότι είναι σε θέση να διαδραματίσει αυτό τον ρόλο. Στο άμεσο μέλλον, οι Υπουργοί Δικαιοσύνης και Εσωτερικών Υποθέσεων της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης θα έχουν συνομιλίες με τους αμερικανούς ομολόγους τους, προκειμένου να βρουν τρόπους ενίσχυσης της υπερατλαντικής συνεργασίας για την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας.
Η αποτροπή της χρηματοδότησης της τρομοκρατίας βρίσκεται ψηλά στις προτεραιότητές μας. Παρόλο που η ΕΕ βρίσκεται στην πρώτη γραμμή για την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας, δεν πρέπει να παραμείνουμε άπραγοι και να εφησυχάσουμε. Τα χρήματα αποτελούν την ψυχή της τρομοκρατίας και πρέπει να ενισχύσουμε τα οικονομικά μας συστήματα, ώστε να διασφαλίσουμε ότι δεν γίνεται κατάχρησή τους από τους τρομοκράτες. Η τρίτη οδηγία για τη νομιμοποίηση εσόδων από παράνομες δραστηριότητες είναι ένα νέο βήμα που αφορά στο εν λόγω θέμα. Πρέπει επίσης να ενισχύσουμε τις πολιτικές μας για τη δέσμευση των περιουσιακών στοιχείών των τρομοκρατών. Επιδιώκουμε, συνεπώς, να καταστήσουμε το Γραφείο Συμψηφισμού της ΕΕ αποτελεσματικότερο και να εξασφαλίσουμε την πιο εύρυθμη λειτουργία του. Τέλος, θα αναζητήσουμε τρόπους για να αποτρέψουμε την παραβίαση των τραπεζικών κανονισμών με τη μεταφορά μετρητών εκτός συνόρων.
Στην εξωτερική πολιτική μας, θέλουμε να διασφαλίσουμε ότι οι πόροι της Ένωσης χρησιμοποιούνται στο έπακρο ώστε να συνεργαστούμε με άλλες χώρες για την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας. Όπως έχω ήδη αναφέρει, η τρομοκρατία είναι φαινόμενο που δεν σέβεται τα διεθνή σύνορα. Πιστεύουμε ακράδαντα ότι πρέπει να συνεργαστούμε με τρίτες χώρες, προκειμένου να προωθήσουμε την κύρωση και την εφαρμογή συμβάσεων των Ηνωμένων Εθνών για την πάταξη της τρομοκρατίας καθώς και να χρησιμοποιήσουμε πολιτικό διάλογο και τεχνική συνδρομή για να στηρίξουμε τις χώρες που είναι πρόθυμες να συνεργαστούν. Η ΕΕ έχει ήδη ενεργό δράση στην Ινδονησία, τις Φιλιππίνες και το Πακιστάν, όπου εφαρμόζονται συγκεκριμένα προγράμματα. Η ΕΕ εφαρμόζει επίσης άλλα προγράμματα σε πολλές χώρες με σκοπό να ενισχύσει γενικότερα τα νομικά τους συστήματα. Πιστεύουμε ότι η ΕΕ πρέπει να κάνει περισσότερα και συνεπώς διεξάγουμε συνομιλίες με πολλές σημαντικές χώρες, προκειμένου να αναζητήσουμε τρόπους ισχυροποίησης της συνεργασίας μας.
Αυτό με οδηγεί στο θέμα της τρομοκρατίας στη Ρωσία. Η Ρωσία δικαίως ανησυχεί ιδιαίτερα για την απειλή της τρομοκρατίας. Όμως, περισσότερο από μία απλή ανησυχία, αυτό αποτελεί πραγματικό πρόβλημα για τη Ρωσία, η οποία έχει υποστεί τρεις μείζονες επιθέσεις σε διάστημα λίγο μεγαλύτερο της εβδομάδας. Πρέπει να δείξουμε και έχουμε πράγματι δείξει τη συμπαράστασή μας. Είναι σαφές ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση ανέκαθεν καταδίκαζε συστηματικά όλες τις τρομοκρατικές ενέργειες. Οι Ρώσοι αξίζουν όλη τη στήριξη που μπορούμε να τους παράσχουμε. Συνεπώς, συμπαριστάμεθα στη Ρωσία για να τη συνδράμουμε στην προσπάθειά της να καταπολεμήσει την τρομοκρατία. Στο πλαίσιο των σχέσεών μας με τη Ρωσία ήδη συζητούμε πολύ συχνά το θέμα της πάταξης της τρομοκρατίας. Είμαστε πρόθυμοι να ενισχύσουμε τη συνεργασία σε τεχνικό επίπεδο και να μοιραστούμε την πείρα που έχουμε αποκτήσει στην ΕΕ στο θέμα της πάταξης της τρομοκρατίας. Θα εκμεταλλευτούμε τις τακτικές συνομιλίες που διεξάγουμε με τη Ρωσία για να συζητήσουμε το πώς θα προχωρήσουμε στο εν λόγω ζήτημα. Είμαστε πρόθυμοι να συζητήσουμε με τους Ρώσους αντιτρομοκρατικές στρατηγικές και μεθόδους ώστε να μάθουμε ο ένας από τον άλλο.
Αυτή η συνεργασία αποτελεί μέρος της συνολικής στρατηγικής μας για σύσφιξη των σχέσεων μεταξύ της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και της Ρωσίας. Αποτελεί μέρος του στόχου μας να σημειώσουμε πραγματική πρόοδο και στους τέσσερις κοινούς χώρους κατά την επόμενη σύνοδο κορυφής στις 11 Νοεμβρίου. Στον τομέα της εξωτερικής ασφάλειας, έχουμε σημειώσει πρόοδο. Όμως, η αμφίδρομη σχέση
θα πρέπει να συμβαδίζει με την οικοδόμηση της συνεργασίας στον κοινό χώρο της εσωτερικής ασφάλειας.
Οι τρομοκρατικές επιθέσεις οδήγησαν τη Μόσχα στο να συνεχίσει να θεωρεί την Τσετσενία ως ένα κυρίαρχο αντιτρομοκρατικό θέμα. Αυτό αυξάνει την ανησυχία. Υπήρξαμε σταθεροί στη θέση μας ότι τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα πρέπει να γίνονται σεβαστά στην προσπάθεια για καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας. Πράγματι, η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση έχει σαφή θέση για την κατάσταση στην Τσετσενία. Θα συνεχίσουμε να προβάλλουμε την εν λόγω θέση στη Ρωσία στο μέλλον.
Όσον αφορά την τρομοκρατική επίθεση στο Μπεσλάν, θα είμαι σύντομος. Έχουμε καταδικάσει απόλυτα και κατηγορηματικά αυτή την επίθεση και έχουμε εκφράσει τα συλλυπητήρια μας στους συγγενείς των θυμάτων, τη ρωσική κυβέρνηση και τον ρωσικό λαό. Συνεπώς, υποστηρίξαμε πλήρως την πρωτοβουλία σας, κύριε Πρόεδρε, να τηρήσουν τα σχολεία σε ολόκληρη την Ευρώπη ενός λεπτού σιγή στη μνήμη των θυμάτων της τρομοκρατικής επίθεσης. Με αυτό τον τρόπο τα παιδιά μας μπόρεσαν να δείξουν στον κόσμο τη λύπη τους για τα θύματα της επίθεσης καθώς και τις ανησυχίες τους για την τρομοκρατία. Εναπόκειται τώρα σε μας, τους πολιτικούς, να μεταφράσουμε αυτές τις ανησυχίες σε περαιτέρω συγκεκριμένη δράση και να ενισχύσουμε τον αγώνα μας για την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας σεβόμενοι παράλληλα τις βασικές μας αξίες.
Μετά την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου του 2001 έχει καταστεί σαφές ότι οι τρομοκρατικές επιθέσεις βρίσκονται πιο κοντά μας από όσο θέλαμε να πιστεύουμε. Πρόκειται για απειλή που δεν μπορούμε να αγνοήσουμε. Έχουμε όλοι παρακολουθήσει τις φρικτές τρομοκρατικές επιθέσεις στην τηλεόραση. Είμαστε όλοι μάρτυρες αυτών των επιθέσεων και επίσης συνυπεύθυνοι στο να διασφαλίσουμε ότι δεν θα επαναληφθούν. Όσα είδαμε, τόσο εκτός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, στην Τζακάρτα, το Μπεσλάν, το Ιράκ, το Αφγανιστάν και τη Μέση Ανατολή όσο και εντός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης στη Μαδρίτη πριν από έξι μήνες απαιτούν ανάληψη δράσης τώρα και στο μέλλον. Κάθε επίθεση θέτει νέα ερωτήματα που απαιτούν νέες απαντήσεις και θέτουν νέες προκλήσεις, τις οποίες πρέπει να αντιμετωπίσουμε από κοινού μέσω συγκεκριμένης δράσης. Πρέπει να προστατεύσουμε τους πολίτες μας καλύτερα. Πρέπει να συνεχίσουμε να εξετάζουμε τα όργανα της πολιτικής μας σε στενή συνεργασία με τους άλλους. Δεν υπάρχουν άμεσες λύσεις για την τρομοκρατία. Στον μακρόχρονο αγώνα κατά της τρομοκρατίας, δύο βασικές λέξεις έρχονται στο μυαλό: προστασία και συνεργασία, καθώς και η ιδέα της προστασίας μέσω της συνεργασίας.
Όσον αφορά την προστασία, η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση έχει κάνει πολλά τα τελευταία τρία χρόνια. Έχουμε βελτιώσει τη νομοθεσία μας και διευρύνει τα όργανα της πολιτικής μας. Έχουμε σχεδιάσει και εφαρμόσει νέα μέτρα για την προστασία των συνόρων, των αεροσκαφών κλπ. Έχουμε αρχίσει να δίνουμε προτεραιότητα στην ασφάλεια ακόμη και σε διεθνές επίπεδο.
Όσον αφορά τη συνεργασία, οι τρομοκρατικές επιθέσεις μας δίδαξαν ότι η εσωτερική και η εξωτερική ασφάλεια δεν μπορούν να διαχωριστούν: είναι οι δύο πλευρές του ίδιου νομίσματος. Υπάρχουν δύο βασικοί λόγοι για αυτό: πρώτον, η τρομοκρατία δεν σταματά σε σύνορα και, δεύτερον, η τρομοκρατία αποτελεί παγκόσμια απειλή: μπορεί να εμφανιστεί και έχει πράγματι εμφανιστεί οπουδήποτε στον κόσμο. Η πραγματική, συνεπώς, προστασία μπορεί να επιτευχθεί μόνο μέσω της διεθνούς συνεργασίας. Πρέπει επίσης να εξετάσουμε προσεκτικά αν η δική μας προσέγγιση ταιριάζει με εκείνη των χωρών εταίρων μας, προκειμένου να δημιουργηθούν επαρκείς πιθανότητες για στενή συνεργασία. Η εθνική και η διεθνής δράση θα πρέπει να συνδυαστούν για την αμοιβαία ενδυνάμωσή τους.
Η τρομοκρατία είναι επίθεση όχι μόνο στην πολιτική και οικονομική ελευθερία μας, αλλά και στους κανόνες και τις αξίες μας: ελευθερία, δημοκρατία, ανοχή και κράτος δικαίου, αξίες που πρέπει να υπερασπιστούμε. Επίσης, η τρομοκρατία δεν είναι μόνο επίθεση στις δυτικές αξίες, είναι επίθεση στις παγκόσμιες αξίες που αποτελούν τα θεμέλια των Ηνωμένων Εθνών. Ο μοναδικός τρόπος για να νικηθεί η τρομοκρατία είναι να αντιμετωπιστεί. Πρέπει, συνεπώς, να είμαστε ισχυροί και δραστήριοι για να καταπολεμήσουμε αυτό το πολυκέφαλο τέρας. Ίσως βρεθούμε αντιμέτωποι με τον πειρασμό να πιστέψουμε ότι σε αυτό τον αγώνα μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί οποιοδήποτε μέσο. Εδώ, όμως, πρέπει να είμαστε επιφυλακτικοί. Στον κοινό μας αγώνα θα πρέπει να περιφρουρήσουμε τους κανόνες και τις αξίες που η τρομοκρατία επιζητεί να καταλύσει.
Η τρομοκρατία, σε μεγάλο βαθμό, έχει να κάνει ουσιαστικά με την ασφάλεια, η οποία αποτελεί τον πυρήνα της ύπαρξής μας. Μία νέα προσέγγιση έχει αναπτυχθεί όσον αφορά την ασφάλεια, μέσω ποικίλων διαδικασιών, με σκοπό την ανάληψη αποφασιστικότερης δράσης κατά των τρομοκρατών και την αποτροπή νέων επιθέσεων. Τα Ηνωμένα Έθνη βρίσκονται στο επίκεντρο αυτής της προσέγγισης. Το ψήφισμα 1373 του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών ανάγκασε τα κράτη να βελτιώσουν την πολιτική τους για την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας, όχι μόνο στα λόγια αλλά και στην πράξη, και όχι μόνο με τη βελτίωση της παλαιάς νομοθεσίας ή τη θέσπιση νέων νόμων, αλλά και με την εφαρμογή της. Η απόφαση περιλαμβάνει, μεταξύ άλλων, μέτρα για την καταπολέμηση της χρηματοδότησης της τρομοκρατίας και προωθεί τις προσπάθειες που θα πρέπει να οδηγήσουν στην πρόληψη τρομοκρατικών ενεργειών και την τιμωρία των τρομοκρατών. Η θέση για την πάταξη της τρομοκρατίας, που περιλαμβάνεται στο ψήφισμα 1373 του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών, θα πρέπει συνεπώς να θεωρείται το σημαντικότερο καθολικό σημείο αναφοράς σχετικά με τη δράση που πρέπει να αναλάβουν όλα τα κράτη μέλη των Ηνωμένων Εθνών.
Στο εσωτερικό της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, το Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο και το Συμβούλιο Γενικών Υποθέσεων
καθώς και άλλα συμβούλια όπως το Συμβούλιο Δικαιοσύνης και Εσωτερικών Υποθέσεων, το Συμβούλιο Μεταφορών και το Συμβούλιο Ecofin– έχουν εργαστεί
ενεργά
ύστερα από τις 11/9 για τη σύσταση, την εφαρμογή και τη βελτίωση ενός εκτεταμένου σχεδίου δράσης της ΕΕ. Μεταξύ άλλων, αυτό περιελάμβανε ένα ευρωπαϊκό ένταλμα σύλληψης, κοινές ερευνητικές ομάδες, τη Eurojust και νομοθεσία για τη χρηματοδότηση των τρομοκρατών.
Δραστηριοποιηθήκαμε και στον τομέα της εξωτερικής πολιτικής. Το σημαντικό θέμα της ασφάλειας βρίσκεται στο επίκεντρο της Ευρωπαϊκής Στρατηγικής Ασφάλειας, που θα πρέπει να συμβάλει στη δημιουργία ενός ισχυρότερου πολυμερούς συστήματος. Θα πρέπει να αντιμετωπίζει ποικίλες απειλές συμπεριλαμβανομένης της τρομοκρατίας μέσω ενεργής, συνεκτικότερης εσωτερικής και εξωτερικής δράσης, με μεγαλύτερες δυνατότητες και σε στενή συνεργασία με τους εταίρους μας.
Έχουμε επίσης αποφασίσει να συμπεριλάβουμε μία ρήτρα περί τρομοκρατίας στις νέες συμβατικές σχέσεις με τρίτες χώρες, παρόμοια με τη ρήτρα περί ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων. Αυτό θα μας επιτρέψει να διεξαγάγουμε σοβαρές διαβουλεύσεις με τρίτες χώρες, οι οποίες δεν τηρούν πλήρως τις διεθνείς υποχρεώσεις τους για την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας, όσον αφορά και την εφαρμογή του ψηφίσματος 1373. Υιοθετώντας την προσέγγιση της τακτικής του καρότου και του μαστιγίου –τα καρότα παίρνουν τη μορφή της βοήθειας– χρησιμοποιούμε την πολιτική και οικονομική ισχύ της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για την καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας."@el10
"Señor Presidente, el sábado pasado conmemoramos que el mundo cambió súbitamente hace tres años. En esta presentación, primero me gustaría hacer una retrospectiva y explicar los fundamentos de nuestra política, a continuación abordaré la situación actual de la lucha contra el terrorismo antes de entrar en el programa de trabajo de la Presidencia neerlandesa. Concluiré con unas cuantas palabras sobre la cooperación con Rusia.
Paso ahora al programa de la Presidencia. El programa de trabajo de la Presidencia neerlandesa en el ámbito de la lucha antiterrorista es amplio y de largo alcance. Aparte de centrarse en la aplicación de las medidas y legislación de la UE, implica nuevas iniciativas en numerosos ámbitos. En este aspecto, una herramienta importante es el Plan de acción de lucha antiterrorista de la UE. Este fue adoptado por el Consejo Europeo tras los horrendos atentados de Madrid ocurridos en el pasado mes de marzo. La Presidencia colabora estrechamente con el Coordinador de la Lucha Antiterrorista, el señor Gijs de Vries, para aplicar y complementar este plan de acción.
Los principales ámbitos en los que deseamos, en nuestra calidad de Presidencia, realizar avances sustanciales son: Justicia y Asuntos de Interior, mejora de la cooperación entre los servicios de inteligencia, prevención de la financiación del terrorismo y fortalecimiento de las políticas exteriores de la UE y la lucha contra el terrorismo.
En materia de Justicia y Asuntos de Interior nos centraremos en la aplicación de medidas como la orden de detención europea. Asimismo tenemos que mejorar la manera de trabajar de nuestras agencias de inteligencia. Nuestra primera línea de defensa consiste en contar con buena información sobre lo que pretenden hacer y preparan los terroristas. El Plan de acción de la UE ya esboza algunos pasos que pretendemos dar y el señor De Vries participa plenamente en este proceso. Estamos fortaleciendo el Centro de Situación de la UE que desempeñará un papel decisivo para compartir análisis sobre el terrorismo en Europa. Igualmente debemos reforzar el papel de Europol y asegurarnos de que pueda desempeñarlo. En un futuro próximo, los Ministros de Justicia y Asuntos de Interior de la Unión Europea se reunirán con sus homólogos norteamericanos para estudiar la forma de reforzar la cooperación transatlántica en la lucha contra el terrorismo.
La prevención de la financiación del terrorismo es una de nuestras prioridades. Incluso si la UE ocupa un lugar de vanguardia en la lucha contra el terrorismo, no podemos bajar los brazos. El dinero es vital para el terrorismo y tenemos que reforzar nuestros sistemas financieros para asegurarnos de que los terroristas no abusen de ellos. La tercera Directiva sobre blanqueo de dinero es un nuevo paso en esta dirección. También debemos reforzar nuestras políticas destinadas a congelar los haberes de los terroristas. Por ello deseamos que la Cámara de Compensación de la UE sea más eficaz y aplique mejor la legislación vigente. Por último, buscaremos la manera de evitar que los mensajeros portadores de dinero en efectivo incumplan la normativa bancaria al llevar su dinero en efectivo a través de las fronteras.
En nuestras políticas exteriores deseamos asegurarnos de que los recursos de la Unión se utilicen plenamente para colaborar con otros países en la lucha contra el terrorismo. Como ya he mencionado, el terrorismo es un fenómeno que no respeta las fronteras internacionales. Creemos firmemente que debemos colaborar con los países extracomunitarios para promover la ratificación y aplicación de los convenios de las Naciones Unidas en materia de lucha contra el terrorismo y utilizar el diálogo político y la asistencia técnica para ayudar a los países que estén dispuestos a cooperar. La UE ya actúa en Indonesia, Filipinas y Pakistán, donde lleva a cabo programas específicos. Asimismo, la UE está llevando a cabo otros programas en diversos países con la finalidad, de índole más general, de reforzar sus sistemas judiciales. Consideramos que la UE debería hacer más y, por ello, mantenemos conversaciones con una serie de países clave para explorar formas para mejorar nuestra cooperación.
Y esto nos lleva al terrorismo en Rusia. Rusia está muy preocupada por la amenaza que plantea el terrorismo y con toda la razón. Pero más que una simple preocupación, este es un verdadero problema para Rusia, que ha sufrido tres importantes atentados en algo más de una semana. Debemos demostrar –y ya lo hemos hecho– nuestra solidaridad. Huelga decir que la Unión Europea siempre ha condenado sistemáticamente todos los actos terroristas. Los rusos merecen todo el apoyo que podamos brindarles. Por eso, estamos al lado de Rusia para ayudarle en su lucha contra el terrorismo. Ya deliberamos periódicamente sobre lucha antiterrorista en nuestras relaciones con Rusia. Estamos dispuestos a intensificar nuestra cooperación en el plano técnico y a compartir las experiencias en materia de lucha antiterrorista que hemos acumulado en la UE. Aprovecharemos los diálogos periódicos que mantenemos con Rusia para debatir la forma de proceder a este respecto. Estamos dispuestos a deliberar sobre estrategias y métodos antiterroristas con los rusos a fin de aprender unos de otros.
Esta cooperación forma parte de nuestra estrategia general consistente en reforzar las relaciones entre la Unión Europea y Rusia. Uno de nuestros objetivos es realizar avances palpables en los cuatro espacios comunes en nuestra próxima cumbre que tendrá lugar el 11 de noviembre. Hemos logrado avanzar en el ámbito de la seguridad exterior. Pero esta interacción debe ir acompañada con la construcción de la cooperación en el espacio común de la seguridad interior.
Los atentados terroristas han hecho que Moscú siga considerando que el problema checheno es una cuestión predominantemente de terrorismo. Esto es motivo de preocupación. Nos hemos mostrado coherentes con nuestra posición de afirmar que los derechos humanos deben respetarse en la lucha contra el terrorismo. De hecho, la Unión Europea tiene una posición clara respecto a la situación reinante en Chechenia. Seguiremos presentando nuestra posición ante Rusia en el futuro.
En relación con el atentado terrorista de Beslán, seré breve. Hemos condenado plena e incondicionalmente este atentado y hemos ofrecido nuestras condolencias a los parientes de las víctimas, al Gobierno ruso y al pueblo de Rusia. De este modo hemos apoyado plenamente su iniciativa, señor Presidente, consistente en que las escuelas de toda Europa guardaran un minuto de silencio ayer a mediodía en memoria de las víctimas de este atentado terrorista. De esta forma, nuestros niños pudieron mostrar al mundo su dolor por las víctimas y la preocupación que les causa el terrorismo. Nos toca ahora a nosotros, los políticos, traducir estas preocupaciones en acciones concretas y dar nueva fuerza a nuestra lucha contra el terrorismo, respetando al mismo tiempo nuestros valores fundamentales.
Desde el 11 de septiembre de 2001 es evidente que los atentados terroristas se encuentran más cerca de nosotros de lo que queríamos creer. Se trata de una amenaza que no podemos menospreciar. Todos hemos visto los horrendos atentados terroristas en la televisión. Somos testigos de estos atentados y también somos responsables conjuntamente de que no se repitan nunca más. Lo que hemos visto, tanto fuera de la Unión Europea –en Yakarta, Beslán, Iraq, Afganistán y Oriente Próximo– como dentro de la Unión Europea –hace seis meses en Madrid– exige que actuemos ahora y en el futuro. Cada atentado plantea nuevas preguntas que requieren nuevas respuestas y plantean nuevos desafíos a los que debemos hacer frente juntos a través de medidas concretas. Tenemos que proteger mejor a nuestros ciudadanos. Tenemos que seguir examinando los instrumentos de nuestras políticas en estrecha cooperación con otras partes. No hay soluciones rápidas para el terrorismo. En la larga lucha contra el terrorismo, se me ocurren dos palabras clave: protección y cooperación, así como la idea de protección a través de la cooperación.
En cuanto a la protección, la Unión Europea ha hecho mucho en los últimos tres años. Hemos mejorado nuestra legislación y ampliado los instrumentos de nuestra política. Hemos elaborado y aplicado nuevas medidas para proteger nuestras fronteras, los aviones, etc. Hemos comenzado a dar prioridad a la seguridad, incluso a escala internacional.
En cuanto a la cooperación, los atentados terroristas nos han enseñado que la seguridad interna y la externa son inseparables, pues son las dos caras de la misma moneda. Esto se debe a dos razones principales: en primer lugar, el terrorismo no se detienen en las fronteras y, en segundo lugar, el terrorismo es una amenaza de alcance mundial, ya que puede suceder –y de hecho ya ha sucedido– en cualquier parte del mundo. Por ello, la auténtica protección solo puede alcanzarse a través de la cooperación internacional. Asimismo debemos examinar detenidamente si nuestro planteamiento se corresponde con los de nuestros países aliados a fin de crear suficientes posibilidades para cooperar estrechamente. Las medidas nacionales e internacionales deben encajar unas con otras para reforzarse entre sí.
El terrorismo es un atentado no solo contra nuestras libertades políticas y económicas, sino también contra nuestras normas y valores: la libertad, la democracia, la tolerancia y el Estado de derecho, valores que debemos defender. Asimismo, el terrorismo no es tan solo un atentado contra nuestros valores occidentales, sino que es un ataque contra los valores universales que constituyen el fundamento de Naciones Unidas. La única manera de vencer el terrorismo es haciéndole frente. Por ello debemos ser fuertes y mostrarnos activos en la lucha contra este monstruo multicéfalo. Nos podemos sentir tentados a creer que podemos utilizar cualquier medida en esta lucha. Pero tenemos que ser muy cautos a este respecto. En nuestra lucha común debemos mantener las normas y valores que el terrorismo pretende destruir.
El terrorismo se resume, en gran parte, en seguridad, que es el núcleo de nuestra existencia. Hemos desarrollado un nuevo enfoque de la seguridad a través de diversos procesos con el fin de adoptar medidas más concluyentes contra el terrorismo y prevenir nuevos atentados. Las Naciones Unidas se encuentran en el centro de esas medidas. La Resolución 1373 del Consejo de Seguridad de las Naciones Unidas obliga a los Estados a mejorar sus políticas en materia de terrorismo, no solo de palabra, sino también en hechos, no solo mejorando la legislación antigua o redactando nuevas leyes, sino aplicándolas. Esta resolución recoge, entre otras cosas, medidas para luchar contra la financiación del terrorismo y promueve acciones que deberían conducir a la prevención del terrorismo y al castigo de los terroristas. Por consiguiente, la agenda antiterrorista incorporada a la Resolución 1373 del Consejo de Seguridad de Naciones Unidas debería considerarse el punto de referencia más importante a escala mundial para las medidas que deben adoptar todos los Estados miembros de las Naciones Unidas.
Dentro de la Unión Europea, el Consejo Europeo y el Consejo de Asuntos Generales –así como otros Consejos, como el Consejo de Justicia y Asuntos de Interior, el Consejo de Transporte y el Consejo ECOFIN– han trabajado desde el 11 de septiembre para establecer, aplicar y refinar un amplio plan de acción de la UE. Entre los resultados obtenidos se encuentran la orden de detención europea, los equipos comunes de investigación, Eurojust y la legislación sobre la financiación del terrorismo.
Asimismo hemos actuado en materia de política exterior. La cuestión clave de la seguridad ocupa el lugar principal dentro de la Estrategia Europea de Seguridad, que deberá contribuir a reforzar el sistema multilateral. Deberá hacer frente a diversas amenazas –entre ellas el terrorismo– a través de medidas internas y externas activas y más coherentes, con mayores capacidades y en estrecha cooperación con nuestros socios.
Asimismo hemos decidido incluir una cláusula sobre terrorismo en las nuevas relaciones contractuales con terceros países, similar a la cláusula sobre derechos humanos. Esta cláusula nos permitirá evacuar consultas serias con aquellos terceros países que no cumplan plenamente sus obligaciones internacionales en materia de lucha contra el terrorismo, como la aplicación de la Resolución 1373. Al adoptar un planteamiento de palo y zanahoria –con la zanahoria en forma de ayuda– utilizamos la fuerza política y económica de la Unión Europea para luchar contra el terrorismo."@es20
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@et5
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Arvoisa puhemies, muistimme viime lauantaina kolmen vuoden takaisia tapahtumia, jotka äkkiarvaamatta muuttivat maailmaa. Haluan johdantopuheenvuorossani katsoa ensiksi taaksepäin ja selvittää politiikkamme perustan ja käsitellä sen jälkeen terrorismin torjunnan nykytilannetta, ennen kuin tarkastelen puheenjohtajavaltio Alankomaiden työohjelmaa. Lopuksi sanon muutaman sanan Venäjän kanssa tehtävästä yhteistyöstä.
Käsittelen seuraavaksi puheenjohtajakauden ohjelmaa. Puheenjohtajavaltio Alankomaiden työohjelma on terrorismin torjunnan alalla laaja ja monipuolinen. Sen lisäksi, että ohjelmassa keskitytään vahvasti EU:n toimenpiteiden ja lainsäädännön täytäntöönpanoon, se sisältää useita aloja koskevia uusia aloitteita. Tärkeä terrorismin torjunnan väline on terrorismin vastainen EU:n toimintasuunnitelma, jonka Eurooppa-neuvosto hyväksyi Madridiin viime maaliskuussa tehtyjen kauheiden terrori-iskujen jälkeen. Puheenjohtajavaltio tekee tiivistä yhteistyötä EU:n terrorismin vastaisten toimien koordinaattorin Gijs de Vriesin kanssa toimintasuunnitelman täytäntöön panemiseksi ja täydentämiseksi.
Keskeiset alat, joita puheenjohtajavaltio haluaa edistää merkittävästi, ovat yhteistyö oikeus- ja sisäasiasioissa, tiedustelupalvelujen välisen yhteistyön parantaminen, terrorismin rahoittamisen torjunta sekä EU:n ulkopolitiikan ja terrorismin vastaisten toimien vahvistaminen.
Oikeus- ja sisäasioissa keskitymme panemaan täytäntöön eurooppalaisen pidätysmääräyksen kaltaisia toimia. Meidän on lisäksi parannettava tiedusteluvirastojemme välistä yhteistyötä. Paras puolustautumiskeinomme on hankkia kattavasti tietoa terroristien suunnitelmista ja toimien valmisteluista. EU:n toimintasuunnitelmassa esitetään jo joitakin toimia, joita aiomme toteuttaa, ja de Vries on sitoutunut tähän prosessiin täysipainoisesti. Olemme vahvistamassa EU:n tilannekeskusta, jota hyödynnetään koottaessa yhteen Euroopan terrorismia koskevia arviointeja. Meidän on myös vahvistettava Europolin asemaa ja varmistettava, että se suoriutuu tehtävästään. Euroopan oikeus- ja sisäasioiden ministerit kokoontuvat lähiaikoina yhteen yhdysvaltalaisten kollegojensa kanssa pohtimaan, miten voimme vahvistaa terrorismin torjunnan alalla tehtävää transatlanttista yhteistyötä.
Terrorismin rahoituksen torjunta on keskeisellä sijalla ohjelmassamme. Vaikka EU on terrorismin torjunnassa eturintamassa, emme voi istua kädet ristissä ja levätä. Raha on terrorismin elinehto, ja meidän on vahvistettava rahoitusjärjestelmiämme varmistaaksemme, etteivät terroristit pysty väärinkäyttämään varojamme. Kolmas rahanpesudirektiivi on uusi askel eteenpäin tässä asiassa. Meidän on myös vahvistettava politiikkaamme, jotta terroristien varat voidaan jäädyttää. Pyrimme näin ollen tehostamaan EU:n selvityskeskuksen toimintaa ja varmistamaan toimien aiempaa paremman täytäntöönpanon. Lisäksi pohdimme tapoja ehkäistä sitä, että rahankuljettajat kiertävät pankkialan säännöksiä viemällä rahat käteisenä rajojen yli.
Ulkopolitiikassa haluamme varmistaa, että unionin voimavaroja käytetään täysimääräisesti muiden maiden kanssa tehtävään terrorismin torjuntatyöhön. Kuten jo totesin, terrorismi ei kunnioita ilmiönä kansainvälisiä rajoja. Uskomme vakaasti, että meidän on työskenneltävä yhdessä yhteisön ulkopuolisten maiden kanssa edistääksemme terrorismin vastaisten YK:n yleissopimusten ratifiointia ja täytäntöönpanoa sekä tukeaksemme yhteistyöhalukkaita maita poliittisen vuoropuhelun ja teknisen avun turvin. EU toimii jo aktiivisesti Indonesiassa, Filippiineillä ja Pakistanissa, joissa se toteuttaa erityisohjelmia. EU:lla on monissa maissa käynnissä myös muita ohjelmia, joilla on yleisemmin tarkoitus vahvistaa näiden maiden oikeuslaitoksia. EU:n olisi mielestämme tehtävä enemmän, minkä vuoksi keskustelemme useiden keskeisten maiden kanssa selvittääksemme, miten voisimme lisätä yhteistyötä.
Tästä siirryn käsittelemään terrorismia Venäjällä. Venäjä on hyvin huolissaan terrorismin uhasta ja aivan perustellusti. Pelkän huolen sijasta terrorismi on kuitenkin Venäjällä todellinen ongelma, sillä siellä on tehty kolme huomattavaa terrori-iskua vähän yli viikon aikana. Meidän on osoitettava sille myötätuntoamme, ja niin olemmekin tehneet. Euroopan unioni on aina tuominnut kaikki terroriteot selvästi. Venäläiset ansaitsevat kaiken tukemme. Pysymme siksi Venäjän rinnalla ja tuemme sitä kaikissa sen terrorismin vastaisissa toimissa. Suhteissamme Venäjään keskustelemme jo nyt säännöllisesti terrorismin torjunnasta. Olemme valmiit lisäämään teknistä yhteistyötä ja jakamaan kokemuksiamme, joita olemme hankkineet terrorismin torjunnasta EU:ssa. Keskustelemme Venäjän kanssa säännöllisesti käytävässä vuoropuhelussa siitä, miten asiassa voidaan edetä. Olemme valmiit keskustelemaan terrorismin vastaisista strategioista ja menetelmistä Venäjän kanssa, jotta voimme oppia toisiltamme.
Yhteistyö on osa kokonaisstrategiaamme, jonka tavoitteena on tiivistää Euroopan unionin ja Venäjän välisiä suhteita. Tavoitteenamme on edistyä huomattavasti kaikilla neljällä yhteisellä alallamme seuraavassa 11. marraskuuta pidettävässä huippukokouksessa. Olemme edistyneet ulkoisen turvallisuuden alalla. Vuorovaikutuksen ohella olisi kuitenkin vahvistettava yhteistyötä myös yhteisellä sisäisen turvallisuuden alueella.
Terrori-iskut ovat saaneet aikaan sen, että Moskova käsittelee Tšetšeniaa edelleenkin ensi sijassa terrorismin vastaisena kysymyksenä. Tämä antaa aihetta huoleen. Olemme ilmaisseet johdonmukaisesti kantamme, jonka mukaan terrorismin torjunnassa on noudatettava ihmisoikeuksia. Euroopan unionilla on todellakin selkeä kanta Tšetšenian tilanteeseen. Tämän kannan esitämme Venäjälle tulevaisuudessakin.
Puhun lyhyesti Beslanin terrori-iskusta. Olemme tuominneet iskun täysin ja ehdottomasti ja olemme esittäneet surunvalittelumme uhrien sukulaisille, Venäjän hallitukselle ja Venäjän kansalle. Arvoisa puhemies, tuimme näin ollen täysin aloitettanne pitää eilen keskipäivällä kaikissa Euroopan kouluissa minuutin hiljaisuus terrori-iskun uhrien muistoksi. Tällä tavoin lapsemme pystyivät osoittamaan maailmalle surunsa terrori-iskun uhreista ja huolensa terrorismista. Meidän poliitikkojen tehtävänä on nyt muuntaa nämä huolet käytännön toimiksi ja tehostaa terrorismin torjuntaa perusarvojamme kunnioittaen.
Syyskuun 11. päivän 2001 jälkeen on käynyt selväksi, että terrori-iskujen todennäköisyys on suurempi kuin haluaisimme uskoa. Emme voi aliarvioida niiden uhkaa. Olemme kaikki nähneet televisiosta kauheita terrori-iskuja. Olemme olleet näiden iskujen silminnäkijöinä, ja meidän on myös yhdessä varmistettava, ettei niitä enää tehdä. Se, mitä olemme nähneet sekä Euroopan unionin ulkopuolella – Jakartassa, Beslanissa, Irakissa, Afganistanissa ja Lähi-idässä – että Euroopan unionissa – kuusi kuukautta sitten Madridissa – edellyttää toimia nyt ja tulevaisuudessa. Jokainen terrori-isku herättää uusia kysymyksiä, jotka edellyttävät uusia vastauksia, ja luo uusia haasteita, joihin meidän on vastattava yhdessä käytännön toimien avulla. Meidän on suojeltava kansalaisiamme aiempaa paremmin. Meidän on tutkittava edelleen politiikan välineitämme tiiviissä yhteistyössä muiden kanssa. Terrorismiin ei ole mitään pikaratkaisua. Pitkästä terrorismin vastaisesta taistelusta mieleeni tulee kaksi tärkeää asiaa: suojelu ja yhteistyö. Tähän sisältyy myös ajatus suojelusta yhteistyön avulla.
Euroopan unioni on tehnyt paljon työtä suojelun alalla viimeisten kolmen vuoden aikana. Olemme parantaneet lainsäädäntöämme ja lisänneet politiikan välineittemme kattavuutta. Olemme kehittäneet ja toteuttaneet uusia toimia muun muassa rajojen ja lentoliikenteen suojelemiseksi. Yhä useammin olemme asettaneet turvallisuuden etusijalle myös kansainvälisellä tasolla.
Terrori-iskut ovat opettaneet meille yhteistyöstä, ettei sisäistä ja ulkoista turvallisuutta voida erottaa toisistaan; ne ovat saman kolikon kaksi puolta. Tähän on kaksi perussyytä: ensinnäkään terrorismi ei pääty valtion rajalle, ja toiseksi terrorismi on maailmanlaajuinen uhka; terrorismia voi esiintyä – ja on esiintynytkin – missä tahansa maailmassa. Suojelu voi olla aitoa näin ollen ainoastaan kansainvälisen yhteistyön avulla. Meidän on myös tutkittava tarkoin, onko lähestymistapamme sopusoinnussa kumppanimaittemme lähestymistavan kanssa, jotta voimme luoda riittävästi mahdollisuuksia tiiviiseen yhteistyöhön. Kansalliset ja kansainväliset toimet olisi sovitettava yhteen, jotta ne tukisivat toisiaan.
Terrorismi on hyökkäys paitsi poliittista ja taloudellista vapauttamme myös normejamme ja arvojamme vastaan. Näitä arvoja, joita meidän on puolustettava, ovat vapaus, demokratia, suvaitsevaisuus ja oikeusvaltio. Terrorismi on hyökkäys paitsi länsimaisia arvoja myös niitä maailmanlaajuisia arvoja vastaan, joihin Yhdistyneet Kansakunnat perustuu. Terrorismi voidaan lyödä ainoastaan uhmaamalla sitä. Meidän on näin ollen taisteltava vahvasti ja aktiivisesti terrorismin monipäistä hirviötä vastaan. Tässä saattaa tulla kiusaus ajatella, että terrorismia voitaisiin torjua keinolla millä hyvänsä, mutta meidän on kuitenkin oltava varovaisia. Meidän on puolustettava yhteisessä taistelussamme niitä normeja ja arvoja, jotka terrorismi pyrkii romuttamaan.
Terrorismissa on viime kädessä kyse pääasiassa turvallisuudesta, joka on olemassaolomme ydin. Turvallisuuteen on kehitetty useiden menettelyjen avulla uusi lähestymistapa, jonka tarkoituksena on toteuttaa aiempaa tehokkaampia toimia terroristeja vastaan ja ehkäistä uusia iskuja. YK on toiminnan ytimessä. YK:n turvallisuusneuvoston päätöslauselma 1373 on pakottanut valtiot parantamaan terrorismia koskevia toimintatapojaan, ei ainoastaan sanoin vaan myös teoin, eikä ainoastaan parantamalla vanhaa lainsäädäntöä tai laatimalla uutta lainsäädäntöä vaan myös panemalla tätä lainsäädäntöä täytäntöön. Päätöslauselmaan sisältyy muun muassa toimia, joilla torjutaan terrorismin rahoittamista, ja sillä edistetään toimia, joiden tavoitteena on terrorismin ehkäisy ja terroristien rankaiseminen. Terrorismin vastaista ohjelmaa, joka sisältyy YK:n turvallisuusneuvoston päätöslauselmaan 1373, olisi siten pidettävä toimien tärkeimpänä maailmanlaajuisena lähtökohtana. Kaikkien Yhdistyneiden Kansakuntien jäsenvaltioiden on toimittava.
Eurooppa-neuvosto ja yleisten asioiden neuvosto sekä muut neuvoston kokoonpanot, kuten oikeus- ja sisäasiain neuvosto, liikenneneuvosto ja Ecofin-neuvosto, ovat työskennelleet Euroopan unionissa syyskuun 11. päivän tapahtumien jälkeen aktiivisesti laatiakseen ja pannakseen täytäntöön EU:n toimintasuunnitelman sekä parantaakseen sitä. Toimet ovat kattaneet muun muassa eurooppalaisen pidätysmääräyksen, yhteiset tutkintaryhmät, Eurojustin ja terrorismin rahoituksen torjuntaa koskevan lainsäädännön.
Olemme toimineet aktiivisesti myös ulkopolitiikassa. Euroopan turvallisuusstrategian ytimenä on turvallisuuden avainkysymys. Strategialla on tarkoitus muodostaa aiempaa vahvempi monenvälinen järjestelmä ja puuttua useisiin uhkiin – myös terrorismiin – aktiivisten ja entistä johdonmukaisempien sisäisten ja ulkoisten toimien sekä aiempaa parempien valmiuksien avulla ja tiiviissä yhteistyössä kumppaneidemme kanssa.
Olemme myös päättäneet sisällyttää ihmisoikeuslausekkeen kaltaisen terrorismilausekkeen yhteisön ulkopuolisten maiden kanssa solmimiimme uusiin sopimussuhteisiin. Tällä tavoin voimme käydä tärkeitä neuvotteluja niiden yhteisön ulkopuolisten maiden kanssa, jotka eivät noudata täysimääräisesti terrorismin torjuntaa koskevia kansainvälisiä velvoitteitaan, ja varmistaa tässä yhteydessä myös päätöslauselman 1373 täytäntöönpanon. Omaksumalla keppiä ja porkkanaa tarjoavan lähestymistavan – jossa porkkanat ovat tukien muodossa – käytämme Euroopan unionin poliittista ja taloudellista valtaa terrorismin torjumiseksi."@fi7
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Monsieur le Président, samedi dernier nous avons commémoré le fait que le monde a brusquement changé il y a trois ans. Je commencerai mon intervention par un historique expliquant le fondement de notre politique, j’exposerai ensuite la situation actuelle en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme et le programme de la présidence néerlandaise, et je terminerai en évoquant brièvement la coopération avec la Russie.
J’en viens maintenant au programme de la présidence. Le programme de travail de la présidence néerlandaise dans le domaine de la lutte contre le terrorisme est large et de grande ampleur. Outre la grande priorité qu’il accorde à la mise en œuvre des mesures et de la législation de l’UE en la matière, ce programme comprend de nouvelles initiatives dans de nombreux domaines. Un outil important à cet égard est le plan d’action de l’UE contre le terrorisme. Il a été adopté par le Conseil européen après les terribles attentats commis à Madrid en mars dernier. La présidence travaille en étroite coopération avec le coordinateur UE de la lutte contre le terrorisme, M. Gijs de Vries, pour mettre en œuvre et compléter ce plan d’action.
Les domaines clés dans lesquels la présidence souhaite réaliser de grands progrès sont les suivants: justice et affaires intérieures, amélioration de la coopération entre les services de renseignement, mesures de prévention du financement du terrorisme et renforcement de la politique extérieure de l’UE et de sa lutte contre le terrorisme.
En ce qui concerne la justice et les affaires intérieures, la présidence néerlandaise mettra l’accent sur la mise en œuvre de mesures telles que le mandat d’arrêt européen. Il faudra aussi améliorer la manière dont nos services de renseignement collaborent. Notre première ligne de défense consiste à disposer de bonnes informations sur ce que les terroristes planifient et se préparent à accomplir. Le plan d’action de l’UE donne déjà les grandes lignes de certaines des mesures que la présidence néerlandaise a l’intention de mettre en œuvre et M. De Vries est pleinement engagé dans ce processus. Nous renforçons actuellement le Centre de situation conjoint de l’UE qui jouera un rôle déterminant dans la mise en commun des analyses sur le terrorisme en Europe. Il faudra aussi renforcer le rôle d’Europol et assurer que cet office pourra tenir son rôle. Très prochainement, les ministres de la justice et des affaires intérieures de l’UE se réuniront avec leurs homologues des États-Unis afin de déterminer comment renforcer la coopération transatlantique en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme.
La prévention du financement du terrorisme a été placée au premier rang des priorités de la présidence néerlandaise. Même si l’UE est aux avant-postes de la lutte contre le terrorisme, elle ne peut pas pour autant relâcher ses efforts. L’argent est vital pour le terrorisme et nous devons renforcer nos systèmes financiers afin de veiller à ce que les terroristes ne puissent pas en faire usage. La troisième directive sur le blanchiment de capitaux est une nouvelle étape en ce sens. Il faut également renforcer nos politiques de gel des avoirs détenus par les terroristes. La présidence néerlandaise cherche par conséquent à rendre le «
» de l’UE plus efficace et à assurer une meilleure mise en œuvre. Enfin, nous étudierons les moyens d’empêcher les passeurs d’argent de contourner les règlements des banques en traversant les frontières avec des fonds en espèces.
En termes de politique extérieure, la présidence néerlandaise entend veiller à ce que les ressources de l’Union soient utilisées au mieux de leurs possibilités afin d’œuvrer avec d’autres pays à la lutte contre le terrorisme. Comme je l’ai déjà dit, le terrorisme est un phénomène qui ne connaît pas les frontières internationales. Nous sommes fermement convaincus que l’UE doit travailler avec les pays tiers en faveur de la ratification et de la mise en œuvre des conventions des Nations unies contre le terrorisme, ainsi qu’en faveur du recours au dialogue politique et à l’assistance technique pour soutenir les pays désireux de coopérer. L’UE intervient actuellement en Indonésie, aux Philippines et au Pakistan par le biais de programmes spécifiques. L’UE met également en œuvre dans de nombreux pays des programmes visant de manière plus générale à renforcer les systèmes judiciaires. Nous estimons que l’UE devrait faire davantage: c’est pourquoi nous examinons avec un certain nombre de pays clés la manière de renforcer notre coopération.
Cela nous amène au terrorisme en Russie. La Russie est à juste titre très préoccupée par la menace terroriste. Avec trois attentats de grande ampleur en un peu plus d’une semaine, il ne s’agit pas seulement de préoccupations, c’est un vrai problème qui se pose à la Russie. Nous avons exprimé notre sympathie, ainsi que nous devions le faire. Il est clair que l’Union européenne a toujours condamné systématiquement tous les actes de terrorisme. Les Russes méritent tout le soutien que nous pouvons leur apporter: nous sommes donc au côté de la Russie pour l’aider dans les efforts qu’elle déploie pour lutter contre le terrorisme. Dans le cadre de nos relations avec ce pays, nous abordons régulièrement la question de la lutte contre le terrorisme. Nous sommes prêts à accroître notre coopération sur un plan technique et à partager l’expérience que nous avons acquise au sein de l’UE en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme. Nous utiliserons les dialogues que nous menons régulièrement avec la Russie pour discuter de la manière de procéder à cet égard. Nous voulons notamment discuter avec elle de stratégies et de méthodes de lutte contre le terrorisme, afin de tirer parti de nos expériences respectives.
Cette coopération relève de notre stratégie globale visant à renforcer les relations entre l’Union européenne et la Russie. Elle s’inscrit dans notre objectif, qui est de réaliser des avancées tangibles dans les quatre espaces communs lors du prochain sommet, lequel se tiendra le 11 novembre. Des progrès ont été réalisés dans le domaine de la sécurité extérieure. Mais la concertation devrait aller de pair avec le développement de la coopération dans l’espace commun de sécurité intérieure.
Les attentats terroristes ont incité Moscou à continuer de considérer la Tchétchénie comme une question touchant essentiellement à la lutte contre le terrorisme. C’est là un sujet de préoccupation. Notre position a toujours été que, dans la lutte contre le terrorisme, les droits de l’homme doivent être respectés. Sur ce point, l’Union européenne a une position claire concernant la situation en Tchétchénie. Nous continuerons, à l’avenir, d’exposer cette position à la Russie.
En ce qui concerne l’attentat terroriste commis à Beslan, je serai bref: nous avons condamné cet attentat de manière totale et inconditionnelle et avons présenté nos condoléances aux proches des victimes, au gouvernement de la Russie et au peuple russe. Nous avons donc pleinement soutenu votre initiative, Monsieur le Président, de faire respecter une minute de silence, hier à midi, dans toutes les écoles d’Europe en mémoire des victimes de cet attentat terroriste. Devant le monde entier, les enfants de l’UE ont ainsi pu exprimer leur compassion pour les victimes et leur inquiétude face au terrorisme. C’est maintenant à nous, femmes et hommes politiques, de répondre à cette inquiétude par de nouvelles actions concrètes et de donner une nouvelle impulsion à la lutte contre le terrorisme, tout en respectant les valeurs fondamentales de l’Union.
Depuis le 11 septembre 2001, il est évident que les attentats terroristes sont plus proches de nous que nous ne voulions le croire. Il s’agit d’une menace que nous ne pouvons négliger. Nous avons tous vu les scènes horribles des attentats terroristes à la télévision. Nous avons été témoins de ces attentats. Mais il nous appartient également de veiller à ce qu’ils ne se reproduisent plus. Ce que nous avons vu, tant en dehors de l’Union européenne - à Jakarta, à Beslan, en Irak, en Afghanistan et au Moyen-Orient - que dans ses frontières - à Madrid, il y a six mois -, nous oblige à réagir, aujourd’hui comme demain. Chaque nouvel attentat soulève de nouvelles questions qui appellent de nouvelles réponses et constituent autant de nouveaux défis qu’il nous faut relever ensemble, par des actions concrètes. Nous devons mieux protéger nos citoyens. Nous devons sans cesse passer nos instruments de politique en revue, en étroite coopération avec les autres. Il n’existe pas de remède immédiat au terrorisme. Dans la longue lutte contre le terrorisme, deux mots clés viennent tout de suite à l’esprit: «protection» et «coopération», mais aussi l’idée de la protection par la coopération.
Pour ce qui est de la protection, l’UE a beaucoup de réalisations à son actif depuis ces trois dernières années. Nous avons amélioré notre législation et élargi l’éventail de nos instruments de politique. Nous avons élaboré et mis en œuvre de nouvelles mesures relatives à la protection des frontières, des avions, etc. Nous avons commencé à accorder à la sécurité la première place, y compris sur le plan international.
S’agissant de la coopération, les attentats terroristes nous ont appris que la sécurité intérieure et la sécurité extérieure ne peuvent pas être cloisonnées et qu’elles constituent les deux faces d’une même médaille, et ce, pour deux raisons fondamentales. La première, c’est que le terrorisme ne s’arrête pas aux frontières, et la deuxième, c’est qu’il s’agit d’une menace mondiale: des attentats peuvent se produire n’importe où dans le monde, et tel a d’ailleurs été le cas. Une protection véritable ne peut dès lors être assurée qu’à travers la coopération internationale. Nous devons également examiner soigneusement si notre stratégie concorde avec celle de nos pays partenaires, afin d’offrir suffisamment de possibilités de coopération étroite. Il faut coordonner les initiatives nationales et internationales afin qu’elles se renforcent mutuellement.
Le terrorisme ne constitue pas seulement une attaque contre notre liberté politique et économique, mais aussi contre nos normes et nos valeurs: la liberté, la démocratie, la tolérance et l’État de droit. Nous devons défendre ces valeurs. De même, le terrorisme ne s’en prend pas uniquement aux valeurs occidentales, il vise les valeurs universelles sur lesquelles reposent les Nations unies. La seule façon de vaincre le terrorisme, c’est de l’affronter. Nous devons donc lutter activement et avec force contre ce monstre à plusieurs têtes. On pourrait être tenté de croire que toute mesure est bonne dans le cadre de cette lutte. Nous devons cependant être prudents, car dans notre lutte commune, nous devons veiller à rester fidèles aux normes et aux valeurs que le terrorisme cherche à détruire.
La question du terrorisme se résume essentiellement à la question de la sécurité, qui est au centre de notre existence. Un nouveau courant de réflexion sur la sécurité a vu le jour, à travers des processus différents, afin que l’on puisse combattre plus efficacement les terroristes et empêcher de nouveaux attentats. Les Nations unies jouent un rôle essentiel à cet égard. La résolution 1373 du Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU a obligé les pays à améliorer leur politique de lutte contre le terrorisme, et pas seulement de façon théorique, mais dans les faits. Il ne s’agit pas uniquement d’améliorer les législations existantes ou d’en concevoir de nouvelles, mais aussi de les mettre en œuvre. La résolution comprend, entre autres, des mesures visant à lutter contre le financement du terrorisme et des initiatives qui devraient permettre de prévenir le terrorisme et de sanctionner les terroristes. Dès lors, il faut considérer l’agenda en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme, qui figure dans la résolution 1373 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies, comme la référence mondiale la plus importante pour toutes les actions, lesquelles doivent être menées par tous les États membres des Nations unies.
Au sein de l’Union européenne, le Conseil européen et le Conseil «Affaires générales», ainsi que plusieurs autres formations du Conseil (Justice et affaires intérieures, Transports et Écofin), ont activement contribué, dès le 11 septembre, à élaborer, mettre en œuvre et perfectionner un vaste plan d’action de l’UE qui comprenait, entre autres: un mandat d’arrêt européen, des équipes communes d’enquête, Eurojust et des instruments législatifs sur le financement du terrorisme.
Nous avons également été actifs au niveau de la politique extérieure. La question clé que constitue la sécurité est au centre de la stratégie européenne de sécurité, qui devrait contribuer au renforcement du système multilatéral. Cette stratégie vise à répondre à différentes menaces, y compris le terrorisme, grâce à des actions intérieures et extérieures plus cohérentes, avec des moyens accrus et dans le cadre d’une coopération étroite avec nos partenaires.
Nous avons également décidé d’insérer une clause sur le terrorisme dans nos nouvelles relations contractuelles avec les pays tiers, à l’instar de la clause sur les droits de l’homme. Cela nous permettra de mener des consultations sérieuses avec les pays tiers qui ne s’acquittent pas pleinement de leurs obligations internationales en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme, y compris la mise en œuvre de la résolution 1373. À travers notre système de sanctions et d’encouragements - les encouragements prenant la forme d’une assistance -, nous mettons la puissance politique et économique de l’Union européenne au service de la lutte contre le terrorisme."@fr8
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@hu11
".
Signor Presidente, sabato scorso abbiamo commemorato il fatto che tre anni fa all’improvviso il mondo è cambiato. In questa presentazione, vorrei innanzi tutto fare un passo indietro e spiegare quali sono le basi della nostra politica, per poi soffermarmi sull’attuale situazione della lotta al terrorismo prima di trattare a fondo il programma di lavoro della Presidenza olandese. Spenderò infine alcune parole sulla cooperazione con la Russia.
Passo ora al programma della Presidenza. Il programma di lavoro della Presidenza olandese nel campo della lotta al terrorismo è esaustivo e di vasta portata. Oltre a porre in ampio rilievo l’attuazione delle misure e della legislazione dell’Unione europea, comporta nuove iniziative in vari ambiti. A tale proposito, un importante strumento è il piano d’azione dell’Unione europea per la lotta contro il terrorismo, che è stato adottato dal Consiglio europeo dopo i terribili attentati compiuti a Madrid nel marzo scorso. La Presidenza lavora in stretta collaborazione con Gijs de Vries, Coordinatore europeo per la lotta contro il terrorismo, per attuare e completare questo piano d’azione.
Le aree chiave in cui noi, come Presidenza, vogliamo compiere importanti passi avanti sono la giustizia e gli affari interni, il miglioramento della cooperazione tra i servizi di
la prevenzione dei finanziamenti al terrorismo, il rafforzamento delle politiche esterne dell’Unione europea e la lotta al terrorismo.
Nell’ambito della giustizia e degli affari interni, ci concentreremo sull’attuazione di misure quali il mandato d’arresto europeo. Dobbiamo anche migliorare le modalità di collaborazione delle nostre agenzie di
. Ottenere buone informazioni su ciò che i terroristi programmano o si preparano a fare è la nostra prima linea di difesa. Il piano d’azione dell’Unione europea evidenzia già alcune delle azioni che intendiamo avviare e Gijs de Vries è pienamente coinvolto in questo processo. Stiamo rafforzando il Centro di situazione dell’UE che svolgerà un ruolo fondamentale nel raccogliere le analisi sul terrorismo in Europa. Dobbiamo anche rafforzare il ruolo di Europol e fare in modo che possa svolgere la propria azione. Nel prossimo futuro, i ministri della Giustizia e degli Affari interni dell’Unione europea si riuniranno con i loro omologhi USA per trovare il modo di rafforzare la cooperazione transatlantica nella lotta contro il terrorismo.
La prevenzione del finanziamento al terrorismo ha un’alta priorità nella nostra agenda. Nonostante l’Unione europea sia in prima linea nella lotta al terrorismo, non possiamo stare a guardare e riposarci. Il denaro è la linfa vitale del terrorismo e dobbiamo rafforzare i nostri sistemi finanziari per fare in modo che non vengano raggirati dai terroristi. La terza direttiva sul riciclaggio del denaro rappresenta un nuovo passo avanti a tale proposito. Dobbiamo anche rafforzare le nostre politiche per congelare i beni dei terroristi. Dobbiamo quindi cercare di rendere più efficace la Stanza di compensazione dell’Unione europea e garantire una migliore applicazione. Infine, esamineremo il modo di impedire che i portatori di valori eludano i regolamenti bancari portando oltre frontiera denaro in contanti.
Nell’ambito delle nostre politiche esterne, vogliamo fare in modo che le risorse dell’Unione vengano usate appieno per lavorare con altri paesi nella lotta contro il terrorismo. Come ho già detto, il terrorismo è un fenomeno che non rispetta i confini internazionali. Siamo fermamente convinti che sia necessario lavorare con i paesi terzi per promuovere la ratifica e l’applicazione delle convenzioni delle Nazioni Unite contro il terrorismo e per utilizzare il dialogo politico e l’assistenza tecnica per sostenere i paesi intenzionati a collaborare. L’Unione europea è già attiva in Indonesia, nelle Filippine e in Pakistan, dove sta attuando programmi specifici. L’Unione europea gestisce anche altri programmi in diversi paesi al fine di rafforzarne, più in generale, i sistemi giuridici. Riteniamo che l’Unione europea debba fare di più e quindi stiamo intrattenendo colloqui con diversi paesi chiave per verificare il modo di rafforzare la nostra cooperazione.
Questo mi porta a parlare del terrorismo in Russia. La Russia è molto preoccupata per la minaccia terroristica, e a ragione. Più che una semplice preoccupazione, però, questo è un vero problema per la Russia, che ha subito tre gravi attentati in poco più di una settimana. Dobbiamo dimostrare – come abbiamo fatto – la nostra solidarietà. E’ evidente che l’Unione europea ha sempre condannato sistematicamente tutti gli atti di terrorismo. I russi meritano tutto il sostegno che possiamo offrire loro. Pertanto siamo a fianco della Russia per aiutarla negli sforzi che sta compiendo per combattere il terrorismo. Nell’ambito delle nostre relazioni con la Russia, discutiamo già regolarmente delle attività antiterrorismo. Siamo pronti ad aumentare la cooperazione a livello tecnico e a condividere l’esperienza che abbiamo acquisito nell’Unione europea nel quadro della lotta al terrorismo. Ci avvarremo dei regolari colloqui che intratteniamo con la Russia per discutere delle modalità con cui continuare ad affrontare la questione. Intendiamo discutere con i russi di metodi e strategie sulla lotta al terrorismo in modo da trarne insegnamenti reciproci.
Questa cooperazione fa parte della nostra strategia globale volta a rafforzare le relazioni tra Russia e Unione europea. Rientra nei nostri obiettivi compiere progressi concreti in tutte e quattro le aree comuni al prossimo Vertice dell’11 novembre. Abbiamo compiuto progressi nel campo della sicurezza esterna. L’interazione, però, dovrebbe andare di pari passo con la costruzione della cooperazione nell’area comune della sicurezza interna.
Gli attentati terroristici hanno spinto Mosca a continuare a considerare la questione cecena essenzialmente come un problema di lotta al terrorismo. Questo è preoccupante. Abbiamo mantenuto con coerenza la nostra posizione secondo cui occorre rispettare i diritti umani nella lotta al terrorismo. In realtà, l’Unione europea ha una posizione chiara sulla situazione in Cecenia. Continueremo a esporre questa posizione alla Russia in futuro.
Riguardo all’attentato terroristico di Beslan, sarò breve. Abbiamo condannato incondizionatamente e senza esitazioni questo attentato e rivolto le nostre condoglianze ai parenti delle vittime, al governo russo e alla popolazione russa. Abbiamo dunque energicamente sostenuto la sua iniziativa, signor Presidente, volta a far sì che tutte le scuole d’Europa ieri a mezzogiorno rispettassero un minuto di silenzio in ricordo delle vittime di questo attentato terroristico. In questo modo i nostri bambini hanno potuto dimostrare al mondo il loro dolore per le vittime e i loro timori per il terrorismo. Ora spetta a noi politici tradurre queste preoccupazioni in azioni concrete e rafforzare la nostra lotta al terrorismo rispettando al contempo i nostri valori fondamentali.
Dall’11 settembre 2001, è emerso con chiarezza che gli attentati terroristici sono più vicini a noi di quanto volessimo credere. Si tratta di una minaccia che non possiamo trascurare. Abbiamo visto tutti i terribili attentati terroristici in televisione. Siamo tutti testimoni di questi attentati ed è anche nostra responsabilità comune garantire che non si ripetano più. Quello che abbiamo visto, sia al di fuori dell’Unione europea – a Giacarta, Beslan, in Iraq, Afghanistan e Medio Oriente – che al suo interno – a Madrid sei mesi fa – indica che è necessario agire sia ora che in futuro. Ogni attentato solleva nuovi interrogativi cui occorre dare nuove risposte e pone nuove sfide che dobbiamo affrontare insieme mediante azioni concrete. Dobbiamo offrire ai nostri cittadini una protezione migliore. Dobbiamo continuare a considerare i nostri strumenti politici in stretta collaborazione con altri. Non esistono assestamenti rapidi per il terrorismo. Nella lunga battaglia contro il terrorismo, sono due le parole chiave che mi vengono in mente: protezione e cooperazione, oltre all’idea della protezione tramite la cooperazione.
In materia di protezione, l’Unione europea ha fatto molto negli ultimi tre anni. Abbiamo migliorato la nostra legislazione e ampliato i nostri strumenti politici. Abbiamo elaborato e attuato nuove misure volte a proteggere le frontiere, il trasporto aereo, eccetera. Abbiamo iniziato a mettere la sicurezza al primo posto, anche a livello internazionale.
Quanto alla cooperazione, gli attentati terroristici ci hanno insegnato che la sicurezza interna e la sicurezza esterna non possono essere separate: sono le due facce della stessa medaglia. Le ragioni di base sono due: innanzi tutto, il terrorismo non si ferma alle frontiere e, in secondo luogo, gli attentati terroristici rappresentano una minaccia globale. Possono essere perpetrati – com’è effettivamente accaduto – in ogni parte del mondo. La vera protezione può dunque essere realizzata solo tramite la cooperazione internazionale. Dobbiamo anche verificare con attenzione se il nostro approccio corrisponde a quelli dei nostri paesi
al fine di creare sufficienti possibilità di stretta collaborazione. Le azioni avviate a livello nazionale dovranno coincidere con quelle intraprese a livello internazionale per potersi rafforzare reciprocamente.
Il terrorismo non è solo un attacco alla nostra libertà economica e politica, ma anche alle nostre norme e ai nostri valori: libertà, democrazia, tolleranza e Stato di diritto, valori che dobbiamo difendere. Il terrorismo, inoltre, non è solo un attacco ai valori occidentali, ma anche un attacco ai valori universali su cui si fondano le Nazioni Unite. L’unico modo di sconfiggere il terrorismo è affrontarlo. Dobbiamo quindi essere forti e attivi per combattere questo mostro a più teste. Si potrebbe essere tentati a credere che in questa lotta si possa usare ogni genere di misura. Ma qui dobbiamo essere cauti. Nella nostra battaglia comune, dobbiamo difendere le norme e i valori che il terrorismo sta cercando di distruggere.
Il terrorismo è in larga misura una questione di sicurezza, che è il fulcro della nostra esistenza. Tramite vari processi, è stato sviluppato un nuovo approccio alla sicurezza, al fine di avviare azioni più decisive contro i terroristi e prevenire nuovi attentati. L’elemento chiave sono le Nazioni Unite. La risoluzione 1373 del Consiglio di sicurezza dell’ONU ha costretto i paesi a migliorare le loro politiche sul terrorismo, non solo con le parole ma anche con i fatti, non solo elaborando una nuova legislazione o migliorando quella esistente, ma anche applicandola. La risoluzione contiene
misure volte a combattere il finanziamento del terrorismo e promuove sforzi finalizzati alla prevenzione del terrorismo e alla punizione dei terroristi. L’agenda antiterrorismo, che integra la risoluzione 1373 del Consiglio di sicurezza dell’ONU, dev’essere dunque considerata come il più importante punto di riferimento globale per l’azione – azione che va intrapresa da tutti gli Stati membri delle Nazioni Unite.
Nell’ambito dell’Unione europea, il Consiglio europeo e il Consiglio “Affari generali” – analogamente ad altre formazioni del Consiglio quali il Consiglio “Giustizia e Affari interni”, il Consiglio “Trasporti” e il Consiglio ECOFIN –, dall’11 settembre in poi si sono attivamente dedicati a istituire, attuare e perfezionare un esauriente piano d’azione europeo. Tra le altre cose, questo comprendeva il mandato d’arresto europeo, squadre investigative comuni, Eurojust e la legislazione sul finanziamento al terrorismo.
Siamo stati attivi anche sul fronte della politica esterna. La questione chiave della sicurezza è al centro della strategia di sicurezza europea, che deve contribuire alla creazione di un sistema multilaterale più forte e occuparsi di varie minacce – tra cui il terrorismo – tramite azioni interne ed esterne attive e più coerenti, con maggiori capacità e in stretta collaborazione con i nostri
.
Abbiamo inoltre deciso di includere una clausola riguardante il terrorismo nelle nuove relazioni contrattuali con i paesi terzi, simile alla clausola sui diritti umani. Questo ci permetterà di intrattenere serie consultazioni con i paesi terzi che non rispettano appieno i loro obblighi internazionali nell’ambito della lotta contro il terrorismo, anche per quanto riguarda l’attuazione della risoluzione 1373. Adottando il sistema del bastone e della carota – in cui le carote si presentano sotto forma di aiuti – usiamo il potere politico ed economico dell’Unione europea nella lotta contro il terrorismo."@it12
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@lt14
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@lv13
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@mt15
".
Mijnheer de Voorzitter, afgelopen zaterdag hebben we herdacht dat het drie jaar geleden is dat de wereld plotseling veranderde. Tijdens deze presentatie wil ik eerst terugblikken en de basis voor ons beleid toelichten, vervolgens wil ik de huidige stand van zaken in de strijd tegen het terrorisme bespreken en daarna zal ik ingaan op het werkprogramma van het Nederlandse voorzitterschap. Ik zal afsluiten met een aantal opmerkingen over de samenwerking met Rusland.
Ik kom nu op het programma van het voorzitterschap. Het werkprogramma van het Nederlandse voorzitterschap op het gebied van terrorismebestrijding is uitgebreid en veelomvattend. Enerzijds is het sterk gericht op de implementatie van EU-maatregelen en -wetgeving, anderzijds bevat het ook nieuwe initiatieven op tal van gebieden. Een belangrijk instrument in dit verband is het EU-actieplan inzake terrorismebestrijding, dat is aangenomen door de Europese Raad na de verschrikkelijke aanslagen in Madrid van afgelopen maart. Het voorzitterschap werkt nauw samen met de EU-coördinator voor terrorismebestrijding, Gijs de Vries, om dit actieplan te implementeren en aan te vullen.
De belangrijkste punten ten aanzien waarvan wij als voorzitterschap substantiële vorderingen willen maken zijn justitie en binnenlandse zaken, het verbeteren van de samenwerking tussen de inlichtingendiensten, het voorkomen van de financiering van terrorisme en het versterken van het buitenlands beleid en de terrorismebestrijding van de Unie.
Op het gebied van justitie en binnenlandse zaken zullen we ons concentreren op de invoering van maatregelen als het Europees arrestatiebevel. Ook moeten we de wijze waarop onze inlichtingendiensten samenwerken verbeteren. Onze prioriteit ligt bij het verzamelen van betrouwbare informatie over plannen die terroristen maken en over de voorbereidingen die ze treffen. In het EU-actieplan wordt al een aantal stappen die wij in dit verband willen zetten globaal uiteengezet, en de heer De Vries wordt ten volle betrokken bij dit proces. Verder werken we aan de verbetering van het EU-Situatiecentrum, dat een rol gaat spelen bij het verzamelen van onderzoeksgegevens over terrorisme in Europa. Wij moeten ook de rol die Europol nu speelt versterken en ervoor zorgen dat deze instantie haar taken ten volle kan vervullen. Tot slot zullen de EU-ministers van Justitie en Binnenlandse Zaken op korte termijn met hun Amerikaanse collega's rond de tafel gaan zitten om te bespreken hoe de transatlantische samenwerking in de strijd tegen het terrorisme geïntensiveerd kan worden.
Het voorkomen van de financiering van terroristische activiteiten staat hoog op onze agenda. De EU loopt voorop in de strijd tegen het terrorisme, maar we kunnen zeker niet achteroverleunen. Terrorisme kan niet zonder geld, en dus moeten we onze financiële stelsels verbeteren om te voorkomen dat terroristen er misbruik van maken. De derde richtlijn inzake het witwassen van geld is in dit opzicht een stap in de goede richting. We moeten tevens ons beleid zodanig aanscherpen dat we het kapitaal van terroristen kunnen bevriezen. Daarom streven wij ernaar het clearinginstituut van de Europese Unie effectiever te maken en te zorgen voor een betere implementatie van de regelgeving terzake. Tot slot zullen we naar manieren zoeken om te voorkomen dat geldkoeriers de regelgeving inzake banktransacties omzeilen door hun geld in contanten de grens over te nemen.
Ten aanzien van het buitenlands beleid willen we ervoor zorgen dat de mogelijkheden binnen de Unie om samen te werken met andere landen in de strijd tegen het terrorisme optimaal worden benut. Zoals ik al zei, is terrorisme een verschijnsel dat geen internationale grenzen kent. Wij zijn er ten volle van overtuigd dat we moeten samenwerken met derde landen om de ratificatie en implementatie van de VN-verdragen inzake terrorismebestrijding te bevorderen. We moeten een politieke dialoog aangaan met en technische steun bieden aan landen die bereid zijn tot samenwerking. De EU is al actief in Indonesië, de Filippijnen en Pakistan met de invoering van specifieke programma's. De EU voert ook in andere landen programma's uit, die er in meer algemene zin op gericht zijn het gerechtelijk apparaat ter plaatse te versterken. We zijn van mening dat de EU meer moet doen en daarom zijn we in gesprek met een aantal sleutellanden om na te gaan hoe we de samenwerking kunnen intensiveren.
Daarmee kom ik op het terrorisme in Rusland. Rusland is ernstig bezorgd over de dreiging van terrorisme, en terecht. Die is voor Rusland niet zomaar een zorg, maar een serieus probleem. Er hebben drie grote aanvallen plaatsgevonden in nauwelijks meer dan een week tijd. Wij moeten ons medeleven betuigen, en dat hebben we ook gedaan. Het is duidelijk dat de Europese Unie te allen tijde elke vorm van terrorisme systematisch heeft veroordeeld. De Russen verdienen alle steun die wij hun kunnen bieden. Daarom staan wij Rusland bij in zijn pogingen om het terrorisme te bestrijden. In onze contacten met Rusland spreken we al op regelmatige basis over terrorismebestrijding. Wij zijn bereid om de samenwerking op technisch vlak uit te breiden en de ervaring die wij in de EU op het gebied van terrorismebestrijding hebben opgedaan met Rusland te delen. We zullen in het kader van de reguliere dialoog met Rusland bespreken hoe wij in deze kwestie verder moeten gaan. We zijn bereid om strategieën en methodes op het gebied van terreurbestrijding te bespreken, zodat we van elkaar kunnen leren.
Deze samenwerking is onderdeel van onze algehele strategie inzake de versterking van de betrekkingen tussen de Europese Unie en Rusland. Ze vormt een van de elementen van onze doelstelling om tijdens de komende top op 11 november concrete resultaten te boeken met betrekking tot de vier gemeenschappelijke ruimten. Op het gebied van externe veiligheid hebben we vooruitgang geboekt, maar de interactie op dat gebied zou gepaard moeten gaan met de opbouw van samenwerking in de gemeenschappelijke ruimte van de interne veiligheid.
De terroristische aanslagen hebben ertoe geleid dat Moskou Tsjetsjenië wederom beschouwt als een kwestie waarbij het in de eerste plaats gaat om het bestrijden van terrorisme. Dat geeft aanleiding tot bezorgdheid. Wij houden vast aan ons standpunt dat in de strijd tegen het terrorisme het respect voor de mensenrechten gegarandeerd moet zijn. De Europese Unie heeft een duidelijk standpunt over de situatie in Tsjetsjenië. Ook in de toekomst zullen wij ten aanzien van Rusland niet van dit standpunt afwijken.
Wat betreft de terroristische aanslag in Beslan zal ik kort zijn. We hebben deze aanslag volledig en zonder enig voorbehoud veroordeeld. We hebben onze condoleances overgebracht aan de nabestaanden van de slachtoffers, de Russische regering en het Russische volk. Daarom, mijnheer de Voorzitter, hebben wij ten volle uw initiatief gesteund voor een minuut stilte op scholen in heel Europa, gistermiddag om twaalf uur, ter nagedachtenis van de slachtoffers van deze terroristische aanval. Zo hebben onze kinderen de kans gekregen om hun verdriet over de slachtoffers en hun angsten ten aanzien van het terrorisme aan de wereld te laten zien. Het is nu aan ons politici om deze zorgen om te zetten in verdere concrete actie en onze strijd tegen het terrorisme een impuls te geven zonder daarbij onze basiswaarden te verloochenen.
Na 11 september 2001 is het duidelijk geworden dat het risico van een terroristische aanslag groter is dan we wilden geloven. We kunnen deze dreiging niet negeren. We hebben de verschrikkelijke aanslagen allemaal op televisie gezien. Wij waren getuigen van deze aanslagen en het is onze gezamenlijke verantwoordelijkheid om ervoor te zorgen dat zoiets niet nog eens gebeurt. Wat we later hebben gezien, zowel buiten de Europese Unie - in Jakarta, Beslan, Irak, Afghanistan en het Midden-Oosten - als binnen onze Unie, met de aanslag zes maanden geleden in Madrid, vraagt om actie, nu en in de toekomst. Elke aanslag roept nieuwe vragen op die beantwoord moeten worden en stelt ons voor nieuwe uitdagingen die we gezamenlijk aan moeten gaan, met concrete maatregelen. We moeten onze burgers beter beschermen. We moeten in nauwe samenwerking met anderen onze beleidsinstrumenten blijven bijstellen. Er zijn geen kant-en-klare oplossingen voor terrorisme. In de langdurige strijd tegen het terrorisme komen twee sleutelbegrippen naar voren: bescherming en samenwerking, en bescherming door samenwerking.
Wat bescherming betreft, heeft de Europese Unie de afgelopen drie jaar veel gedaan. We hebben onze wetgeving verbeterd en ons scala van beleidsinstrumenten verruimd. Ter bescherming van onze grenzen, onze luchtvaart, enzovoort hebben we nieuwe maatregelen opgesteld en ingevoerd. We hebben veiligheid nu op de eerste plaats gezet, ook in internationaal verband.
Als het gaat om samenwerking hebben we van de terroristische aanslagen geleerd dat interne en externe veiligheid niet los van elkaar kunnen worden gezien; het zijn twee kanten van dezelfde munt. De twee hoofdredenen hiervoor zijn, ten eerste, dat terrorisme niet aan de grens stopt en, ten tweede, dat terrorisme een mondiale dreiging is. Terroristen kunnen overal ter wereld toeslaan, en dat is ook gebeurd. Alleen door internationale samenwerking kunnen we dus werkelijk bescherming bieden. Met het oog op ons streven voldoende mogelijkheden voor nauwe samenwerking te creëren, moeten we nauwkeurig onderzoeken of onze benadering overeenkomt met die van onze partnerlanden. Maatregelen op nationaal niveau en maatregelen in internationaal verband moeten nauw aan elkaar gekoppeld worden om ze beide te versterken.
Terrorisme is niet alleen een aanval op onze politieke en economische vrijheid, maar ook op onze normen en waarden: vrijheid, democratie, verdraagzaamheid en de rechtsstaat. Waarden die we moeten beschermen. Het is ook niet enkel een aanval op de westerse waarden; het is een aanval op de universele waarden waarop de Verenigde Naties gegrondvest zijn. We kunnen het terrorisme alleen verslaan door de strijd ermee aan te binden. We moeten sterk en slagvaardig zijn om het gevecht met dit meerkoppige monster in ons voordeel te kunnen beslechten. Voor sommigen lijkt het misschien zo dat alle middelen in deze strijd geoorloofd zijn, maar daar moeten we voorzichtig mee zijn. Wij moeten in onze gezamenlijke strijd juist vasthouden aan de normen en waarden die het terrorisme wil vernietigen.
Terrorisme tast in hoge mate onze veiligheid aan, de basis van ons bestaan. Langs verschillende lijnen is er een nieuwe benadering van veiligheid ontwikkeld, met meer aandacht voor concrete acties tegen terroristen en voor het voorkomen van nieuwe aanslagen. De VN speelt hierin een centrale rol. Middels resolutie 1373 van de Veiligheidsraad heeft de VN landen gedwongen om hun beleid ten aanzien van terrorisme aan te passen, niet alleen in woorden maar ook in daden. Het gaat hier dus niet alleen om het aanscherpen van bestaande wetgeving en het creëren van nieuwe wetgeving, maar ook om de implementatie ervan. In de resolutie zijn onder andere maatregelen opgenomen om de financiering van het terrorisme aan te pakken en inspanningen te stimuleren om terrorisme te voorkomen en terroristen te vervolgen. De agenda voor terreurbestrijding die in resolutie 1373 van de VN-Veiligheidsraad is opgenomen kan dan ook beschouwd worden als het belangrijkste mondiale ijkpunt voor actie - actie die door alle VN-leden moet worden ondernomen.
Binnen de Europese Unie hebben de Europese Raad en de Raad Algemene Zaken sinds "11 september" hard gewerkt aan het ontwerpen, implementeren en bijschaven van een uitgebreid EU-actieplan. Ook andere formaties van de Raad waren hierbij betrokken, zoals de Raad Justitie en Binnenlandse Zaken, de Raad Vervoer en de Raad Ecofin. Het plan voorziet onder andere in een Europees arrestatiebevel, gezamenlijke onderzoeksteams, Eurojust en wetgeving om de financiering van terrorisme tegen te gaan.
We zijn ook actief geweest op het gebied van het buitenlands beleid. Het kernvraagstuk van de veiligheid staat centraal in de Europese veiligheidsstrategie, die moet bijdragen aan de totstandbrenging van een krachtiger multilateraal systeem. De bedoeling is een antwoord te bieden op diverse bedreigingen, zoals die van het terrorisme, via krachtige, meer coherente interne en externe maatregelen, waarvoor meer capaciteit ingezet wordt en waarbij nauw met onze partners wordt samengewerkt.
We hebben tevens besloten om in nieuwe samenwerkingsovereenkomsten met derde landen een clausule over terrorisme op te nemen, te vergelijken met de mensenrechtenclausule. Op deze wijze zullen we derde landen kunnen aanspreken als ze zich niet volledig aan hun internationale verplichtingen in de strijd tegen het terrorisme houden. Daar valt ook de uitvoering van resolutie 1373 onder. Door een benadering van belonen en straffen te hanteren - waarbij de beloning die we geven onze steun is - kunnen we de politieke en economische macht van de Europese Unie inzetten in de strijd tegen het terrorisme."@nl3
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@pl16
"Senhor Presidente, no passado sábado comemorámos o facto de o mundo ter mudado repentinamente há três anos. Nesta minha intervenção, gostaria de fazer uma retrospectiva e explicar qual a base da nossa política, debruçando-me em seguida sobre a situação actual na luta contra o terrorismo, antes de passar ao programa de trabalho da Presidência neerlandesa. Concluirei dizendo algumas palavras acerca da cooperação com a Rússia.
Passo agora ao programa da Presidência. O programa de trabalho da Presidência neerlandesa no domínio da luta contra o terrorismo é extenso e de âmbito muito vasto. Para além de incidir fortemente na implementação de medidas e legislação a nível comunitário, implica a tomada de novas iniciativas em muitas áreas. O Plano de Acção da UE em matéria de Luta contra o Terrorismo é um instrumento importante nesta matéria. Foi adoptado pelo Conselho Europeu depois dos horrendos atentados ocorridos em Madrid no passado mês de Março. A Presidência trabalha em estreita colaboração com o Coordenador da Luta Antiterrorismo da UE, Gijs de Vries, para implementar e complementar esse programa de acção.
As áreas fundamentais em que nós, enquanto Presidência, desejamos avançar consideravelmente são a área da Justiça e dos Assuntos Internos, melhorar a cooperação entre os serviços de informações, impedir o financiamento ao terrorismo e reforçar as políticas externas da União Europeia e a luta contra o terrorismo.
No que respeita à área da Justiça e Assuntos Internos, pretendemos fazer incidir a nossa acção na implementação de medidas como o mandato de captura europeu. Necessitamos também de melhorar o modo de colaboração das nossas agências de informações. A obtenção de boas informações sobre o que os terroristas projectam fazer e se preparam para fazer constitui a nossa primeira linha de defesa. O Plano de Acção da UE já indica algumas das medidas que tencionamos tomar e o Coordenador Gijs de Vries está totalmente empenhado neste processo. Estamos a reforçar o Centro de Crise da União Europeia, que será essencial para reunir análises relativas ao terrorismo na Europa. Precisamos igualmente de reforçar o papel da Europol e de garantir que essa organização possa desempenhar o seu papel. Num futuro próximo, os Ministros da Justiça e dos Assuntos Internos da União Europeia reunir-se-ão com os seus homólogos norte-americanos para analisarem a forma como poderemos reforçar a cooperação transatlântica na luta contra o terrorismo.
Impedir o financiamento do terrorismo é uma das nossas prioridades. Muito embora a União Europeia esteja na primeira linha da luta contra o terrorismo, não podemos ficar calmamente de braços cruzados. O dinheiro é vital como o sangue para o terrorismo e precisamos de reforçar os nossos sistemas financeiros para termos a certeza de que os terroristas não os utilizarão de forma abusiva. A terceira Directiva relativa ao Branqueamento de Capitais é uma nova iniciativa nesta matéria. Também precisamos de reforçar as nossas políticas que permitem congelar os bens de terroristas. Por isso procuramos tornar mais eficaz o Centro de Recolha e de Intercâmbio de Informações da União Europeia e assegurar uma melhor implementação das nossas políticas. Por último, procuraremos estudar maneiras de impedir que os correios rápidos que transportam quantias em dinheiro contornem os regulamentos da banca procedendo ao transporte transfronteiras dessas quantias em numerário.
No âmbito das nossas políticas externas, queremos ter a certeza de que os recursos da União estão a ser plenamente utilizados com vista à colaboração com outros países na luta contra o terrorismo. Como já afirmei, o terrorismo é um fenómeno que não respeita fronteiras internacionais. Estamos firmemente convencidos de que temos de colaborar com países terceiros para promover a ratificação e a execução de convenções das Nações Unidas no domínio da luta contra o terrorismo e temos de utilizar o diálogo político e a assistência técnica para apoiar países que se disponham a colaborar. A União Europeia já desenvolve a sua actividade na Indonésia, nas Filipinas e no Paquistão, países onde está a pôr em execução programas específicos. Leva também à prática outros programas em diversos países com o intuito, em termos mais gerais, de reforçar os sistemas judiciais desses países. Consideramos que a União Europeia deveria fazer mais e, por conseguinte, estamos a entabular conversações com diversos países que têm uma importância fundamental, para assim explorarmos a maneira de reforçar a nossa cooperação.
Isto leva-me a falar do terrorismo na Rússia. A Rússia está muito preocupada, e com razão, com a ameaça do terrorismo. Mais do que apenas uma preocupação, porém, este é um verdadeiro problema para a Rússia, que sofreu três atentados de grandes proporções em pouco mais de uma semana. Temos de lhe demonstrar - e demonstrámos-lhe, de facto - a nossa solidariedade. É óbvio que a União Europeia condenou sempre, sistematicamente, todos os actos de terrorismo. Os Russos merecem todo o apoio que lhes possamos dispensar. Daí que estejamos ao lado da Rússia para a ajudar nos seus esforços na luta contra o terrorismo. Nas nossas relações com a Rússia já discutimos regularmente a questão da luta contra o terrorismo. Estamos prontos a aumentar a cooperação a nível técnico e a partilhar a experiência que obtivemos na União Europeia em matéria de luta contra o terrorismo. Utilizaremos os diálogos que travamos regularmente com a Rússia para discutir a maneira de actuar neste domínio. Estamos dispostos a debater com os Russos estratégias e métodos anti-terrorismo, para dessa forma podermos aprender uns com os outros.
Esta cooperação faz parte da nossa estratégia global de reforço das relações entre a União Europeia e a Rússia. Faz parte do nosso objectivo de que se registem progressos palpáveis em todos as quatro áreas comuns na próxima cimeira, que terá lugar a 11 de Novembro. No domínio da segurança externa já fizemos progressos. Mas a interacção deverá ir de par com a construção da cooperação no espaço comum da segurança interna.
Os atentados terroristas levaram Moscovo a continuar a considerar a Chechénia uma questão que se inscreve predominantemente no domínio da luta anti-terrorista. Isso é motivo de preocupação. Temos sido coerentes na nossa posição, que é a de que os direitos humanos deverão ser respeitados na luta contra o terrorismo. Na verdade, a União Europeia tem uma posição clara no que respeita à situação na Chechénia. Continuaremos, no futuro, a apresentar essa posição à Rússia.
Quanto ao atentado terrorista em Beslan, vou ser breve. Condenámos plena e incondicionalmente esse atentado e apresentámos as nossas condolências aos familiares das vítimas, ao Governo russo e ao povo russo. Apoiámos, por isso, a sua iniciativa, Senhor Presidente, de que as escolas em toda a Europa observassem um minuto de silêncio ao meio-dia de ontem, em homenagem às vítimas deste atentado terrorista. As nossas crianças puderam, assim, demonstrar ao mundo o pesar que sentiram pelas vítimas do atentado e a sua preocupação com o terrorismo. Compete-nos agora a nós, políticos, traduzir essa preocupação em novas acções concretas e reforçar a nossa luta contra o terrorismo respeitando simultaneamente os nossos valores fundamentais.
Desde 11 de Setembro de 2001 ficou claro que os atentados terroristas estão mais perto de nós do que desejaríamos acreditar. É uma ameaça que não podemos descurar. Todos nós vimos na televisão esses horrendos atentados terroristas. Somos testemunhas desses atentados e temos, conjuntamente, a responsabilidade de garantir que não voltem a acontecer. Aquilo a que assistimos, tanto fora da União Europeia - em Jacarta, em Beslan, no Iraque, no Afeganistão e no Médio Oriente - como no interior da União Europeia - em Madrid, há seis meses - exige que se tomem medidas, agora e no futuro. Todos os atentados colocam novas perguntas que exigem novas respostas, e novos desafios a que temos de dar resposta em conjunto através de acções concretas. É necessário que protejamos melhor os nossos cidadãos. É necessário que continuemos a analisar os nossos instrumentos de política em estreita colaboração com terceiros. Não há soluções rápidas para o terrorismo. Na longa batalha contra o terrorismo saltam à mente duas palavras: protecção e cooperação, bem como a ideia da protecção através da cooperação.
No que diz respeito à protecção, a União Europeia fez muita coisa nos últimos três anos. Melhorámos a nossa legislação e alargámos os nossos instrumentos de política. Elaborámos e implementámos novas medidas para proteger fronteiras, aeronaves, etc. Começámos, também a nível internacional, a pôr a segurança em primeiro lugar.
No que diz respeito à cooperação, os atentados terroristas ensinaram-nos que não é possível separar segurança interna e segurança externa: são duas faces da mesma moeda. Há dois motivos de base para que assim seja: em primeiro lugar, o terrorismo não pára nas fronteiras e, em segundo lugar, o terrorismo é uma ameaça mundial: pode ocorrer - e na verdade já ocorreu - em qualquer parte do mundo. Portanto, só é possível concretizar uma verdadeira protecção através da cooperação internacional. Também temos de analisar com cuidado se a nossa abordagem é equivalente à dos países nossos parceiros, a fim de se criarem suficientes possibilidades para uma estreita cooperação. As acções nacionais e internacionais deverão encaixar perfeitamente umas nas outras para se reforçarem mutuamente.
O terrorismo é um ataque não só à nossa liberdade política e económica, mas também às nossas normas e aos nossos valores: liberdade, democracia, tolerância e o Estado de direito, valores que temos de defender. O terrorismo também não é apenas um ataque aos valores ocidentais, é um ataque aos valores universais que formam os alicerces das Nações Unidas. A única maneira de derrotar o terrorismo é defrontá-lo. Por isso temos de ser fortes e actuantes para lutar contra este monstro de muitas cabeças. Poderá haver a tentação de acreditar que nesta luta se pode fazer uso de qualquer medida. Nisso, porém, temos de ter cautela. Na nossa luta comum deveremos defender as normas e os valores que o terrorismo procura destruir.
Em grande medida, o terrorismo pode reduzir-se a uma questão de segurança, que é o fulcro da nossa existência. Desenvolveu-se, por meio de diversos processos, uma nova abordagem da segurança, que tem como intuito a tomada de medidas mais conclusivas contra os terroristas e a prevenção de novos atentados. As Nações Unidas estão no cerne desta abordagem. A Resolução 1373 do Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas obrigou os países a melhorarem as suas políticas em matéria de terrorismo, não apenas por palavras, mas também por actos, não apenas melhorando velha legislação ou redigindo nova legislação, mas também aplicando essa legislação. A resolução contém, entre outras coisas, medidas para combater o financiamento do terrorismo e promove esforços que deverão conduzir à prevenção do terrorismo e à punição de terroristas. A agenda da luta contra o terrorismo, incorporada na Resolução 1373 do Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas, deverá, pois, ser considerada como o mais importante ponto de referência global para a tomada de medidas - medidas que têm de ser tomadas por todos os Estados-Membros das Nações Unidas.
No âmbito da União Europeia, o Conselho Europeu e o Conselho dos Assuntos Gerais - bem como outras formações do Conselho, tais como o Conselho Justiça e Assuntos Internos, o Conselho dos Transportes e o ECOFIN - trabalham activamente desde o 11 de Setembro na definição, implementação e aperfeiçoamento de um extenso programa de acção da União Europeia. Isso envolveu, entre outras coisas, um mandato de captura europeu, equipas de investigação conjuntas, a EUROJUST e legislação em matéria de financiamento ao terrorismo.
Também temos desenvolvido actividade no que respeita à política externa. A questão fundamental da segurança está no cerne da Estratégia Europeia de Segurança, a qual deverá contribuir para um sistema multilateral mais forte. Deverá dar resposta a diversas ameaças - incluindo o terrorismo - através de uma acção interna e externa activa e mais coerente, com capacidades reforçadas e em estreita colaboração com os nossos parceiros.
Também decidimos incluir uma cláusula relativa ao terrorismo em novas relações contratuais com países terceiros, à semelhança da cláusula sobre direitos humanos. Isso permitir-nos-á realizar trocas de impressões muito sérias com países terceiros que não estejam a cumprir totalmente as suas obrigações internacionais em matéria de luta contra o terrorismo, inclusive no que respeita à implementação da Resolução 1373. Com a adopção da abordagem da cenoura e do pau - em que as cenouras assumem a forma da assistência -, utilizamos o poder político e económico da União Europeia na luta contra o terrorismo."@pt17
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@sk18
"Mr President, last Saturday we commemorated the fact that the world suddenly changed three years ago. In this presentation, I would first like to look back and explain the basis for our policy, then address the current situation in the fight against terrorism before going into the work programme of the Dutch presidency. I will end with a few words on cooperation with Russia.
I turn now to the presidency programme. The work programme of the Netherlands presidency in the field of counter-terrorism is extensive and wide-ranging. In addition to a strong focus on implementation of EU measures and legislation, it entails new initiatives in many fields. An important tool in this matter is the EU Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. It was adopted by the European Council after the horrendous attacks in Madrid last March. The presidency works in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr Gijs de Vries, to implement and complement this action plan.
Key areas in which we, as presidency, want to take substantial steps forward are Justice and Home Affairs, improvement of cooperation between intelligence services, prevention of terrorist financing and strengthening of the EU's external policies and counter-terrorism.
On Justice and Home Affairs, we will focus on the implementation of measures like the European arrest warrant. We also need to improve the way our intelligence agencies work together. Having good information on what terrorists are planning and preparing to do is our first line of defence. The EU Action Plan already outlines some of the steps that we intend to take and Mr De Vries is fully engaged in this process. We are in the process of strengthening the EU Situation Centre that will be instrumental in pooling analyses on terrorism in Europe. We also need to strengthen the role of Europol and make sure it can play its role. In the near future, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will sit with their US counterparts to see how we can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The prevention of terrorist financing is high on our agenda. Even though the EU is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we cannot sit back and relax. Money is the life-blood of terrorism and we need to reinforce our financial systems to make sure that they are not abused by terrorists. The third Money Laundering Directive is a fresh step in this matter. We also need to strengthen our policies to freeze assets of terrorists. We therefore seek to make the EU Clearing House more effective and to secure better implementation. Finally, we will be looking at ways to prevent cash couriers from circumventing banking regulations by taking their money in cash across borders.
In our external policies we want to make sure that the resources of the Union are being used to their full extent in order to work with other countries in the fight against terrorism. As I have already said, terrorism is a phenomenon that does not respect international borders. It is our firm belief that we must work with third countries to promote the ratification and implementation of UN counter-terrorism conventions and to use political dialogue and technical assistance to support countries willing to cooperate. The EU is already active in Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan, where it is implementing specific programmes. The EU also operates other programmes in various countries with a view, more generally, to strengthening their judicial systems. We feel that the EU should do more and therefore we are talking to a number of key countries to explore how we can enhance our cooperation.
That brings me to terrorism in Russia. Russia is very worried about the threat of terrorism, and rightly so. But, more than a mere worry, this is a true problem for Russia, which has suffered three major attacks in little more than a week. We must show – and indeed have shown – our sympathy. It is clear that the European Union has always systematically condemned all acts of terrorism. The Russians deserve all the support we can give them. Hence we stand by Russia to assist it in its efforts to fight terrorism. In our relations with Russia, we already discuss counter-terrorism on a regular basis. We stand ready to increase cooperation on a technical level and to share the counter-terrorism experience that we have gained in the EU. We will use the regular dialogues that we have with Russia to discuss how to proceed in this matter. We are willing to discuss anti-terrorism strategies and methods with the Russians so that we can learn from each other.
This cooperation forms part of our overall strategy to strengthen relations between the European Union and Russia. It is part of our goal to make tangible progress on all four common spaces at the next summit on 11 November. In the field of external security, we have made progress. But the interaction should go hand-in-hand with building up cooperation in the common space of internal security.
The terrorist attacks have prompted Moscow to continue to regard Chechnya as a predominantly anti-terrorist issue. This gives rise to concern. We have been consistent in our position that human rights should be respected in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, the European Union has a clear position on the situation in Chechnya. We will continue to present this position to Russia in future.
As to the terrorist attack in Beslan, I will be brief. We have fully and unconditionally condemned this attack and have offered our condolences to the relatives of the victims, the Russian Government and the Russian people. We therefore fully supported your initiative, Mr President, for schools all over Europe to respect a one-minute silence at noon yesterday in commemoration of the victims of this terrorist attack. In that way our children were able to show the world their grief for its victims and their worries about terrorism. It is now up to us, the politicians, to translate these worries into further concrete action and to reinvigorate our fight against terrorism while respecting our core values.
Since 11 September 2001, it has become clear that terrorist attacks are closer to us than we wanted to believe. It is a threat that we cannot neglect. We have all seen the horrific terrorist attacks on television. We are witnesses to these attacks and are also jointly responsible for ensuring that they do not happen again. What we have seen, both outside the European Union – in Jakarta, Beslan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East – and inside the European Union – in Madrid six months ago – requires action now and in the future. Every attack poses new questions which require new answers and pose new challenges that we have to address jointly through concrete action. We need to protect our citizens better. We need to continue to look at our policy instruments in close cooperation with others. There are no quick fixes for terrorism. In the long battle against terrorism, two key words spring to mind: protection and cooperation, as well as the idea of protection through cooperation.
On protection, the European Union has done a lot in the last three years. We have improved our legislation and widened our policy instruments. We have drawn up and implemented new measures to protect borders, aircraft, etc. We have started to put security first, also at international level.
On cooperation, the terrorist attacks have taught us that internal and external security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. There are two basic reasons for this: firstly, terrorism does not stop at borders and, secondly, terrorism is a global threat: it can happen – and indeed has happened – anywhere in the world. True protection can therefore be realised only through international cooperation. We also have to look carefully at whether our approach matches those of our partner countries in order to create sufficient possibilities for close cooperation. National and international action should be dovetailed for their mutual strengthening.
Terrorism is an attack not only on our political and economic freedom, but also on our norms and values: liberty, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, values that we have to defend. Terrorism is also not just an attack on western values, it is an attack on universal values which form the foundation for the United Nations. The only way to defeat terrorism is to confront it. We must therefore be strong and active to fight this many-headed monster. There might be a temptation to believe that any measure could be used in this fight. But here, we have to be cautious. In our common fight, we should uphold the norms and values that terrorism is seeking to destroy.
Terrorism to a large extent boils down to security, which is the core of our existence. A new approach to security has been developed, through various processes, with a view to taking more conclusive action against terrorists and preventing new attacks. The UN is at the core. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has forced countries to improve their policies on terrorism, not only in word but also in deed, not only by improving old legislation or by drafting new legislation but also by implementing it. The resolution contains
measures to combat the financing of terrorism and promotes efforts that should lead to the prevention of terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The counter-terrorism agenda, incorporated in UN Security Council Resolution 1373, should therefore be considered to be the most important global point of reference for action – action that has to be taken by all United Nations Member States.
Within the European Union, the European Council and the General Affairs Council – as well as other Council formations such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Transport Council and Ecofin – has actively worked, from 9/11 onwards, on setting up, implementing and refining an extensive EU action plan. Amongst other things, this involved a European arrest warrant, joint investigation teams, Eurojust and legislation on terrorist financing.
We have also been active as regards external policy. The key issue of security is at the centre of the European Security Strategy, which should contribute to a stronger multilateral system. It should address various threats – including terrorism – through active, more coherent internal and external action, with stronger capacities and in close cooperation with our partners.
We have also decided to include a terrorism clause in new contractual relations with third countries, similar to the human rights clause. This will allow us to hold serious consultations with third countries which are not fully observing their international obligations in the fight against terrorism, including with regard to the implementation of Resolution 1373. By adopting the carrot-and-stick approach – carrots taking the form of assistance – we use the political and economic power of the European Union in the fight against terrorism."@sl19
".
Herr talman! I lördags hedrade vi minnet av att världen plötsligt förändrades för tre år sedan. I denna presentation kommer jag först att se bakåt och förklara grunden för vår politik, därefter kommer jag att ta upp det nuvarande läget i kampen mot terrorismen innan jag går in på det nederländska ordförandeskapets handlingsprogram. Jag kommer att avsluta med några ord om samarbetet med Ryssland.
Jag går nu över till ordförandeskapets program. Det nederländska ordförandeskapets handlingsprogram på området terroristbekämpning är mycket omfattande. Förutom en stark inriktning på genomförande av EU-åtgärder och lagstiftning omfattar programmet nya initiativ på många områden. Ett viktigt verktyg i denna fråga är EU:s handlingsplan mot terrorism. Den antogs av Europeiska rådet efter de fasansfulla attackerna i Madrid i mars i år. Ordförandeskapet har ett nära samarbete med EU:s samordnare i kampen mot terrorism, Gijs de Vries, för att genomföra och komplettera denna handlingsplan.
De nyckelområden som vi som ordförandeland vill göra konkreta framsteg inom är rättsliga och inrikes frågor, förbättring av samarbetet mellan underrättelsetjänster, förhindrande av finansiering av terrorism och stärkande av EU:s externa politik och politik mot terrorism.
När det gäller rättsliga och inrikes frågor kommer vi att inrikta oss på att genomföra åtgärder som den europeiska arresteringsordern. Vi måste också förbättra samarbetet mellan våra underrättelsetjänster. Att ha god information om vad terrorister planerar och förbereder är vårt bästa försvar. I EU:s handlingsplan anges redan huvuddragen i några av de åtgärder som vi har för avsikt att vidta, och Gijs de Vries är starkt engagerad i detta arbete. Vi håller på att stärka EU:s lägescentral (SitCen), som kommer att medverka i arbetet med att sammanställa analyser om terrorism i Europa. Vi måste även stärka Europols roll. Inom kort kommer Europeiska unionens justitie- och inrikesministrar att träffa sina amerikanska motsvarigheter för att se hur det transatlantiska samarbetet inom terroristbekämpning kan stärkas.
Förebyggande av finansiering av terrorism står högt upp på vår dagordning. Även om EU har en ledande roll i kampen mot terrorism kan vi inte sitta med armarna i kors. Pengar är terrorismens livsnerv, och vi måste förstärka våra finansiella system för att se till att de inte missbrukas av terrorister. Det tredje penningtvättsdirektivet är ett nytt steg i den riktningen. Vi måste också stärka vår politik för att frysa terroristers tillgångar. Vi arbetar följaktligen för att göra EU:s clearinghus effektivare och säkra ett bättre genomförande. Slutligen kommer vi att undersöka hur vi kan hindra penningkurirer från att kringgå bankbestämmelserna genom att föra in kontanta pengar över gränserna.
När det gäller vår externa politik vill vi försäkra oss om att unionens medel utnyttjas fullt ut för att samarbeta med andra länder i kampen mot terrorism. Som jag nämnde tidigare är terrorism en företeelse som sträcker sig över de internationella gränserna. Vi är fullt och fast övertygade om att vi måste samarbeta med tredjeländer för att verka för ratificering och genomförande av FN:s konventioner mot terrorism och tillämpa politisk dialog och tekniskt bistånd för att stödja länder som är villiga att samarbeta. EU är redan aktivt i Indonesien, Filippinerna och Pakistan, där unionen genomför speciella program. EU har även andra program i flera länder i syfte att mer allmänt stärka deras rättssystem. Vi anser att EU bör göra mer och vi för därför samtal med ett antal nyckelländer för att undersöka hur vi kan utöka vårt samarbete.
Detta leder mig in på frågan om terrorismen i Ryssland. Ryssland är djupt oroat över terroristhotet, och det med all rätt. Detta är inte bara ett bekymmer; det är ett verkligt problem för Ryssland, som har utsatts för tre storskaliga terrorangrepp på drygt en vecka. Vi måste visa vår medkänsla, och det har vi också gjort. Det är ett faktum att Europeiska unionen alltid systematiskt har fördömt alla terrorhandlingar. Ryssarna förtjänar allt stöd vi kan ge dem. Vi står följaktligen vid Rysslands sida för att bistå i ansträngningarna för att bekämpa terrorismen. Inom ramen för våra förbindelser för vi redan regelbundna diskussioner med Ryssland om frågor som rör kampen mot terrorism. Vi är beredda att utöka samarbetet på teknisk nivå och dela med oss av de erfarenheter av terroristbekämpning som vi har inom EU. Vi kommer att utnyttja de regelbundna dialoger som vi för med Ryssland för att diskutera hur vi skall gå vidare i denna fråga. Vi är villiga att diskutera antiterrorismstrategier och metoder med ryssarna, så att vi kan lära av varandra.
Detta samarbete utgör en del av vår övergripande strategi för att stärka förbindelserna mellan Europeiska unionen och Ryssland. Det ingår i vårt mål att göra påtagliga framsteg inom alla de fyra gemensamma områdena vid nästa toppmöte den 11 november. På området yttre säkerhet har vi gjort framsteg. Men detta samspel måste gå hand i med utbyggnaden av samarbetet på det gemensamma området inre säkerhet.
Terrorattackerna har lett till att Moskva fortsätter att betrakta Tjetjenien som den dominerande antiterroristfrågan. Detta ger upphov till oro. Vi har varit konsekventa i vår ståndpunkt att de mänskliga rättigheterna måste respekteras i kampen mot terrorismen. Europeiska unionen intar en tydlig ståndpunkt om läget i Tjetjenien. Vi kommer att fortsätta att framföra denna åsikt till Ryssland även i framtiden.
När det gäller terrorattacken i Beslan skall jag fatta mig kort. Vi har fullständigt och villkorslöst fördömt denna attack och har framfört våra kondoleanser till offrens familjer, den ryska regeringen och det ryska folket. Vi stödde därför fullständigt ert initiativ, herr talman, att skolor i hela Europa skulle hålla en tyst minut klockan 12 i går för att hedra offren för detta terrorangrepp. På så vis kunde våra barn visa världen sin sorg över offren och sin oro över terrorismen. Det är nu upp till oss, politikerna, att omsätta denna oro i konkret handling och återigen intensifiera vår kamp mot terrorismen, samtidigt som våra grundvärderingar respekteras.
Efter den 11 september 2001 stod det klart för oss att terrorattacker finns närmare oss än vi vill tro. Det är ett hot som vi inte kan nonchalera. Vi har alla sett de fasansfulla terrordåden på TV. Vi har bevittnat dessa attacker och vi har också ett gemensamt ansvar för att se till att de inte inträffar igen. Det vi har sett, såväl utanför Europeiska unionen – i Jakarta, Beslan, Irak, Afghanistan och i Mellanöstern – som inom unionen – i Madrid för sex månader sedan – kräver handling, nu och i framtiden. Varje attack ger upphov till nya frågor som kräver nya svar och varje attack utgör nya utmaningar som vi gemensamt måste ta itu med genom konkreta åtgärder. Vi måste skydda våra medborgare bättre. Vi måste fortsätta att se över våra policyinstrument i nära samarbete med andra. Det finns inga snabba lösningar på problemet med terrorism. I den långsiktiga kampen mot terrorismen kommer man att tänka på två nyckelord: skydd och samarbete, liksom tanken om skydd genom samarbete.
När det gäller skydd har Europeiska unionen gjort mycket under de tre senaste åren. Vi har förbättrat vår lagstiftning och breddat våra policyinstrument. Vi har utarbetat och genomfört nya åtgärder för att skydda våra gränser, vår luftfart osv. Vi har börjat sätta säkerheten först, även på internationell nivå.
När det gäller samarbete har terrorattackerna lärt oss att det inte går att göra åtskillnad mellan den inre och den yttre säkerheten: de är två sidor av samma mynt. Det finns två grundläggande skäl till detta: För det första upphör inte terrorismen vid gränserna och för det andra är den ett globalt hot: attacker kan ske – och har också skett – var som helst i världen. Ett verkligt skydd kan därför endast skapas genom internationellt samarbete. Vi måste också noggrant överväga frågan om vårt tillvägagångssätt stämmer överens med våra partnerländers när det gäller att skapa tillräckliga förutsättningar för nära samarbete. Nationella och internationella åtgärder bör anpassas så att de kan stärkas ömsesidigt.
Terrorismen utgör inte bara en attack mot vår politiska och ekonomiska frihet, utan även mot våra normer och värderingar: frihet, demokrati, tolerans och rättssäkerhet, värderingar som vi måste skydda. Terrorismen är inte bara en attack mot västerländska värderingar, den är en attack mot de universella värderingar som utgör FN:s grundvalar. Det enda sättet att besegra terrorismen är att konfrontera den. Därför måste vi stå starka och aktivt bekämpa detta månghövdade monster. Man kan förledas att tro att alla medel är tillåtna i denna kamp. Men här måste vi vara försiktiga. I vår gemensamma kamp måste vi upprätthålla de normer och värderingar som terrorismen försöker krossa.
Terrorism handlar i hög grad om säkerhet, som är kärnpunkten i vår existens. Vi har utvecklat en ny säkerhetstaktik genom flera olika processer, i syfte att vidta mer djupgående åtgärder mot terrorister och förhindra nya attacker. FN utgör en del av denna kärnpunkt. FN:s säkerhetsråds resolution 1373 har tvingat länderna att förbättra sin politik mot terrorism, inte bara i ord, utan även i handling, och inte bara genom att förbättra gällande lagstiftning eller genom att utarbeta ny lagstiftning, utan även genom att genomföra denna i praktiken. Resolutionen innehåller bland annat åtgärder för att bekämpa finansiering av terrorism och främja förebyggande insatser mot terrorism och straff mot terrorister. Handlingsplanen mot terrorism, som har införlivats i FN:s säkerhetsråds resolution 1373, skall därför betraktas som den viktigaste globala referenspunkten för åtgärder – åtgärder som måste vidtas av FN:s samtliga medlemsstater.
Inom Europeiska unionen har Europeiska rådet och rådet (allmänna frågor) – samt andra rådskonstellationer, t.ex. rådet (rättsliga och inrikes frågor), rådet (transport) och Ekofinrådet – sedan den 9 november aktivt arbetat med att utarbeta, genomföra och förbättra en omfattande EU-handlingsplan. Denna handlingsplan omfattar bland annat den europeiska arresteringsordern, gemensamma utredningsgrupper, Eurojust och lagstiftning mot finansiering av terrorism.
Vi har även varit aktiva när det gäller den yttre politiken. Säkerheten är en nyckelfråga och står i centrum för den europeiska säkerhetsstrategin, som skall bidra till ett starkare multilateralt system. Syftet är att hantera olika hot – däribland terrorismen – genom aktiva, mer sammanhängande interna och externa åtgärder, med utökade möjligheter och i nära samarbete med våra partner.
Vi har även beslutat att inbegripa en klausul om terrorism i nya kontraktsförbindelser med tredjeländer, liknande klausulerna om mänskliga rättigheter. Detta kommer att göra det möjligt för oss att hålla verkliga samråd med tredjeländer som inte fullt ut följer sina internationella förpliktelser när det gäller terroristbekämpning, vilket bland annat gäller genomförandet av resolution 1373. Genom att tillämpa taktiken morot och piska – där bistånd är moroten – kan vi utnyttja Europeiska unionens politiska och ekonomiska styrka i kampen mot terrorismen."@sv21
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