WIREDGOV

The EU Presidency aims to advance legislative proposals related to the fight against terrorism. In addition the Netherlands endeavour to strengthen implementation.

Hollandse Hoogte

In the first half of the Netherlands EU Presidency a number of necessary steps have already been taken. These include:

European Counter Terrorism Centre

On 25 January 2016 Europol launched the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) at the informal meeting of the justice and home affairs ministers in Amsterdam. The ECTC will address issues like foreign fighters and share information regarding terrorist financing, online propaganda and arms trafficking.

Platform for deepening cooperation

Between now and 1 July 2016 the Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG) will set up a platform to improve information-sharing practices. This was announced at today’s informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers by Rob Bertholee, the current chair of the CTG, which is a partnership of European intelligence and security services.

The purpose of the platform is to simplify the exchange of operational intelligence, particularly as it relates to terrorist fighters.

Sharing terrorism lists

EU countries have decided to start sharing terrorism lists. On 15 February a Franco-Dutch proposal to this effect was approved at the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) in Brussels. Terrorism knows no borders, and as a result, countries need to work together more closely to fight it. Countries have a better chance at preventing terrorism when they have access to accurate, timely information.

Directive on Terrorism

During the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting of 10 and 11 March in Brussels, EU ministers agreed to adopt a common position on a new Directive on Terrorism. The directive will make preparatory acts a criminal offence. These include following a terrorist training programme or leaving the country to take part in terrorism. The directive will also make it a criminal offence to assist with preparatory acts or finance terrorism. The directive will improve the position of terrorism victims too, by making professional psychosocial assistance available, for example.