Changing nature of terrorism requires a continuing response from EU authorities
“Recent events in Europe have shown that although the priorities set out in the adopted counter-terrorism instruments are a step in the right direction, the diverse and ever-changing nature of terrorism requires continuing effort to retarget counter-action. During its Presidency, Finland will seek to ensure that the EU reinforces the exchange of information between the authorities addressing radicalisation and recruitment into terrorism, improves measures concerning the detection of explosives and their availability, and furthers the exchange of information in relation to monitoring the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes,” said Finnish Minister of the Interior Kari Rajamäki at the informal meeting of EU interior ministers.
On 21 September, EU interior ministers discussed concrete counter-terrorism measures at the informal Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) ministerial meeting in Tampere.
“Finland takes the view that it is important to make only a few proposals for concrete measures that would be carefully targeted and to concentrate resources on their implementation. It is not worth issuing broad political declarations that do not lead to practical measures. In the fight against terrorism, we must clearly specify those key areas where sufficient progress has not been made and start to monitor these areas in particular”, emphasised Mr Rajamäki.
During the discussions, the ministers stressed that as a result of the events in the United Kingdom and Germany, combating radicalisation and recruitment into terrorism has become increasingly important. The ongoing risk assessment by, for example, the EU Situation Centre (SitCen), Europol and other relevant actors plays an important role when outlining EU measures.
Finland also stressed that it was necessary to draw up an instrument as regards the storing of information from the video surveillance of major traffic junctions. This instrument would provide for common principles of storage across the Member States. It should be noted that video surveillance networks are maintained by the public authorities and/or by economic operators.
“Support should be provided within the existing frameworks to monitor the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes and to effectively exchange related information on criminal investigations and intelligence among Member States. Efforts must be made to tackle the use of the Internet as a forum for providing instructions on how to manufacture and use various types of explosives. In addition, the Member States and the Commission should strengthen research into the availability of explosives. Particular emphasis should be placed on improving the detection of new types of explosives,” said Mr Rajamäki.
“The Member States should also adopt national measures in accordance with the strategy against radicalisation and recruitment into terrorism and identify the officials responsible for the implementation of the strategy. The ministers also discussed the need to start this year a process of regular expert meetings on EU level with a view to analysing the causes of radicalisation and, based on this analysis, taking targeted measures,” Mr Rajamäki continued.
“It is important that representatives of other authorities also take part in these meetings, because problems posed by terrorism and radicalisation are complex and difficult to deal with. In particular, serious consideration should be given to the integration of people with immigrant status and to the improvement of factors influencing their everyday lives,” stressed Mr Rajamäki.
For further information, please contact: State Secretary Kari Salmi, tel. +358 40 733 7085; Permanent Secretary Ritva Viljanen, tel. +358 50 563 5710; Director-General Antti Pelttari, tel. +358 50 357 7194; or Deputy National Police Commissioner Kari Rantama, tel. +358 40 503 6936