The EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

The current Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

Bartjan Wegter is the current EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. A senior Dutch diplomat, Mr Wegter was appointed in February 2024 and took office officially on 1 March 2024, for a five-year term.

With 25 years of experience in diplomacy and security, Mr Wegter has held key roles at the Netherlands Mission to the UN and NATO, the Netherlands’ Defence Intelligence Agency and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has worked at the UNHCR.

Raised in Brussels, Bartjan Wegter holds a master’s degree in Political Science from Leiden University and a master’s in European Affairs from the College of Europe. His expertise in EU security and international cooperation strengthens the EU’s counter-terrorism efforts, while ensuring these are aligned with fundamental rights.

Bartjan Wegter to become the new EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator (press release, 28 February 2024)

A globe with yellow lines representing travel routes, accompanied by a passport, a fingerprint, and a stack of gold coins, surrounded by blue stars.

Bartjan Wegter - EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

The Coordinator's main responsibilities

The EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator plays a key role in shaping the EU’s response to terrorism.

The Coordinator works closely with member states to ensure that the EU’s counter-terrorism response is both effective and aligned with fundamental rights and values, fostering a unified European approach.

The Coordinator leads efforts to strengthen the EU’s security framework by preventing terrorism, improving coordination and advising on effective policies.

The Coordinator engages with member states, third countries and EU institutions, supports cooperation and information-sharing and provides strategic policy advice by anticipating emerging threats.

Main tasks

Advising member states and EU institutions

To provide strategic guidance, evaluate policies and update decision-makers on emerging threats.

Supporting law enforcement and intelligence

To work together with Europol, Eurojust and Frontex to bolster cross-border cooperation on information-sharing.

Monitoring policy implementation

To identify gaps, track progress and recommend improvements to EU counter-terrorism measures.

International cooperation

To strengthen ties with third countries and participate in global counter-terrorism forums.

Research and innovation

To collaborate with experts, academia and the private sector on radicalisation, financing, cyber threats and new security solutions.

Public awareness

To engage media, civil society and victim support services to promote counter-extremism initiatives.

Recent achievements

The EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator plays a key role in shaping EU security policy and responding to evolving threats. Here are some examples of actions taken in recent years to counter terrorism.

Since the role was established, the position has been held by four people.

Afghanistan counter-terrorism action plan (2021)

The Coordinator developed measures to anticipate and address terrorism risks for the EU following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

Right-wing violent extremism (2019)

The Coordinator issued a discussion paper on combating right-wing terrorism in the EU, guiding justice and home affairs ministers to agree on four key areas of action.

Response to attacks in Europe (2015 - ongoing)

Following the 2015 terrorist attack against the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, the Coordinator recommended a series of measures across six priority areas: prevention of radicalisation, border management, information exchange, judicial cooperation, firearms control and the internal-external security nexus. This led to coordinated EU actions, including systematic checks at EU external borders against databases relevant to the fight against terrorism.

Foreign terrorist fighters (2013 - ongoing)

The Coordinator proposed 22 measures to address the issue of Foreign Terrorist Fighters in six priority areas: better understanding of the phenomenon, prevention of radicalisation, detection of travel for suspicious purposes, investigation and prosecution, returnees, and cooperation with third countries. These measures were endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the European Council called for their accelerated implementation.

When the role was established and previous holders

The role of the EU’s Counter-Terrorism Coordinator was established in the wake of the 2004 Madrid attacks, to provide leadership and support for EU institutions and member states in the fight against terrorism.