The EU's response to terrorism
Fighting terrorism is a top priority for the EU. Member states work closely together to prevent terrorist attacks and ensure the security of citizens.
Infographic - Terrorism in the EU: facts and figures
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Why counter-terrorism is a top priority for the EU
Following a series of attacks since 2015, the European Union has adopted various measures to stop terrorism.
Although responsibility for combating crime and safeguarding security primarily lies with the member states, recent years’ terrorist attacks have shown that this is also a common responsibility which they must shoulder together. The EU contributes to the protection of its citizens by acting as the main forum for cooperation and coordination among member states.
In 2015, EU leaders issued a joint statement to guide the work of the EU and its member states. It called for specific measures, focusing on three areas:
- ensuring the security of citizens
- preventing radicalisation and safeguarding values
- cooperating with international partners
In November 2020, following the terrorist attacks in France, Germany and Austria, EU home affairs ministers agreed to further strengthen their joint efforts in the fight against terrorism, without compromising the EU’s common values such as democracy, justice and freedom of speech.
In December 2020, EU leaders reaffirmed their unity in the fight against radicalisation, terrorism and violent extremism.
Prevention of radicalisation
Infographic - Addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online
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Radicalisation is not a new phenomenon, but it has become a more serious threat in recent years.
Online communication technologies have made it easier for terrorists to communicate across borders and have amplified terrorist propaganda and the spread of extremism.
In April 2021, the EU adopted a regulation on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online. The new rules will apply as of 7 June 2022.
Competent authorities in the member states will have the power to issue removal orders to service providers requiring them to remove terrorist content or disable access to it within one hour.
EU terrorist list
As part of its response to terrorism after the attacks of 11 September 2001, the European Union established a list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts and subject to restrictive measures. The list is reviewed regularly, at least every 6 months.
As from September 2016, the EU can apply its own sanctions to ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida and persons and entities associated with or supporting them.
Information exchange
Infographic - How interoperable databases will boost Europe's security
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Effective information sharing between law enforcement, judicial and intelligence authorities in the member states is crucial to fight terrorism, track foreign fighters and tackle organised crime.
The EU has taken measures to improve information exchange between EU countries, including, most recently:
- a framework for interoperability between EU information systems that help manage borders, security and migration (2019)
- the update of the Schengen Information System, used by police and border guards to share alerts on wanted or missing persons and objects (2018)
- the passenger name record directive, regulating the transfer and processing of personal data provided by air passengers (2016)
- the creation of a European counter terrorism centre at Europol to support information exchange between national police authorities (2016)
EU counter-terrorism coordinator
Following the terrorist attacks in Madrid on 11 March 2004, EU leaders adopted a declaration on combating terrorism. Among other measures, they agreed to establish the position of the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.
The coordinator is in charge of coordinating counter-terrorism work within the EU, monitoring implementation of the EU counter-terrorism strategy and improving communication between EU and non-EU countries.
Cutting off terrorist financing
More efforts are needed to prevent money laundering
Money laundering and the financing of terrorism are a major concern for the EU's financial system and the security of its citizens.
Stronger anti-money laundering rules have been in place in the EU since 2018. These rules make it difficult to hide illegal funds under layers of fictitious companies, and strengthen checks on risky third countries. They also boost the role of financial supervision authorities, and improve access to and exchanges of information.
Firearms control
To close the legal loopholes which allowed terrorists to use reconverted weapons, in 2017 the Council adopted new rules on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.
The directive includes measures to enhance traceability and stricter rules for the acquisition and possession of the most dangerous firearms.
In June 2019, the Council adopted new rules to limit the availability of explosives precursors to the general public and ensure the appropriate reporting of suspicious transactions throughout the supply chain.
Explosives precursors are chemical substances that can be used for legitimate purposes, but can also be misused for the illicit manufacture of homemade explosives.
Digitalisation of judicial cooperation
More and more criminals and terrorists are using technology to plan and commit offences. As a result, authorities are becoming increasingly reliant on e-evidence to track down and convict criminals. The EU is currently working on new rules to ensure a more efficient mechanism for cross-border access to e-evidence.
The use of digital tools in criminal procedures related to terrorist offences across the EU is crucial in light of the evolving security threat landscape and the fast pace of technological development.
- Council presidency and European Parliament reach provisional agreement to improve information exchange in terrorism cases (press release, 14 December 2022)
- Digital Europe: Council adopts new rules to modernise judicial cooperation (press release, 4 November 2020)
- Judicial counter-terrorism register (Eurojust)
Measures to stop foreign terrorist fighters
EU definition of terrorism
According to EU law, terrorist offences are acts committed with the aim of:
- seriously intimidating a population
- unduly compelling a government or international organisation to perform or abstain from performing any act
- seriously destabilising or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organisation
It is estimated that 4 000 to 5 000 EU nationals have travelled or attempted to travel to conflict zones - mainly in Iraq and Syria - since 2011 to join terrorist groups such as ISIL/Da'esh. 30 % of them have already returned to their home countries. The issue of foreign fighters has been high on the EU political agenda for many years.
In March 2017, the EU adopted a directive on combating terrorism. The new rules strengthen the EU's legal framework to prevent terrorist attacks and address the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters. The directive criminalises acts such as:
- undertaking training or travelling for terrorist purposes
- organising or facilitating such travel
- providing or collecting funds related to terrorist groups or activities
In March 2017, the EU also adopted a regulation amending the Schengen borders code. The new rules oblige member states to carry out systematic checks against relevant databases on all persons crossing the external borders, including EU citizens and members of their families.
- Schengen borders code: Council adopts regulation to reinforce checks at external borders (press release, 7 March 2017)
- Strengthening EU external borders (background information)
Cooperation with non-EU countries
The security of the Union and its citizens is directly related to what happens outside Europe. In 2015, the Council decided to step up external action to counter terrorism, in particular in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, North Africa, the Gulf and the Sahel:
- cooperation with key partners will be strengthened
- new projects to support capacity building will be launched
- action to counter radicalisation and violent extremism will be intensified
The Council adopted the EU counter-terrorism/foreign fighters strategy focusing on Syria and Iraq in 2014. This strategy outlines several priority areas, including improving cooperation with third countries to identify recruitment networks and foreign fighters.
To reiterate its unwavering commitment to protecting EU citizens against terrorism and violent extremism, in June 2020 the Council called for the EU’s external engagement and action relating to counter-terrorism to be stepped up in certain priority areas:
- geographic regions, including the Western Balkans, North Africa, the Middle East, the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa
- thematic areas, including human rights, the rule of law, the prevention of radicalisation leading to violent extremism, terrorism financing
What is the EU doing to tackle terrorism?
Take a journey through two decades, exploring how EU countries have been cooperating ever more closely on counter-terrorism: from preventing terrorists from buying weapons or building bombs, right through to trying to counter radicalisation in the first place.