Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen: Authorities' cooperation and border security essential in preventing terrorism
Finnish Minister of the Interior Ms Päivi Räsänen today participated in the informal meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Athens. Items on the Home Affairs Ministers' agenda included discussion on further development of the justice and home affairs area after the year 2014 along with terrorism and border security questions. The latter discussion focused on how border security can help prevent terrorism and the movements of terrorist and extremist elements. The Greek Presidency also raised the question of whether foreign fighters can be prevented from transiting into conflict zones.
In Finland's view, border security plays a key part in preventing terrorist activity in the EU area and in supervising the movement of extremist elements across the external borders.
- In Finland, the most important means in the fight against terrorism include our effective cooperation between various authorities and our national entry/exit system," said Ms Räsänen. In the same context, she also stressed that the system should cover the entire EU.
According to Ms Räsänen, cooperation with third countries is of paramount importance. Effort should be made to encourage countries of origin and transit to commit themselves to cooperation, to the fight against terrorism, and to the supervision of extremist movements in their own area.
She also emphasised that authorities should cooperate with each other and that efficient use should be made of the EU's Integrated Border Management System. Steps should be taken to improve the use of the system at EU level in an effort to ensure a consistent security and service level.
According to Ms Räsänen, the security authorities do not currently have any legislative means available to address the travelling of foreign fighters.
- The Finnish Ministry of Justice is preparing a legislative amendment to criminalise participation in terrorist training. If adopted, it will help in efforts to prevent people with terrorist intentions from travelling.
- The security authorities seek to provide information to people travelling into conflict zones on the risks they may face there. One way to do this is to have discussions with travellers going into these areas and those returning.
Ms Räsänen also drew attention to Finland's National Action Plan for Preventing Violent Extremism.
- The Action Plan aims to establish concrete measures to identify the early signs of violent extremism, and to address these.
For further information, please contact
Ms Laura Yli-Vakkuri, Director General, tel. +358 40 720 2216