Debate on the&nbsp;Increased terrorism threat during the EP Plenary session (18-21/01) in Strasbourg. Statements by Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI (EPP, EL), Birgit SIPPEL (S&amp;D, DE), Angel DZHAMBAZKI (ECR, BG) and Jan Philipp ALBRECHT (Greens/EFA, DE)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

fight against terrorism (T)

VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Elissavet (EPP, EL)

SIPPEL, Birgit (S&D, DE)

DZHAMBAZKI, Angel (ECR, BG)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

ALBRECHT, Jan Philipp (Greens/EFA, DE)

KOENDERS, Bert (NL)

Increased terrorism threat: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/20209370/I115126Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Judging from recent events, the terrorist threat seems to be increasing in the European Union, but also in its vicinity as the recent attacks in Istanbul, Jakarta,Ouagadougou, in Charsadda Pakistan has shown. As Presidency we will do anything within our powers to improve the Union's capacity counter this threat and to protect our citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Obstacles to information exchange on foreign terrorist fighters and ways forward to clear these obstacles will be first and foremost on the agenda. Another issue that we will address is information sharing between Member States on firearms and explosives precursors.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Apart from enhancing the exchange of law enforcement information countering radicalisation and recruitment remains a priority. An EU approach is needed taking into account that over 5000 citizens have left to fight for terrorist organisations in Iraq and Syria. Concerning integration and non-discrimination, we should create opportunities for all. We should do much more on tolerance and anti-Muslim hatred, further inter-religious dialogue and communicate our values. Education is key and we look forward to Commission initiatives in this context.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, We have to be realistic; the terrorist threat in the EU is high. The terrorist threat is there. We are determined to respond with resolve and resilience and at the same time to uphold our values of tolerance, democracy and respect of fundamental rights.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, 2016 will be the year where we go after terrorist money. We need to deprive terrorists of their financial resources. In early February we will put our ideas forward with a concrete timetable.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Member States need to trust each other more. They need to share more information, between themselves and also with Europol.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI (EPP, EL), Today we know that there is 5 to 6 thousand European citizens are terrorists. But how can we actually intervene? What has the European Union, what has the Council done? We have taken several steps forward but I don't think that we can ensure that fear becomes all pervasive, how can we try and control this phenomenon?

SOUNDBITE (German), Birgit SIPPEL (S&amp;D, DE), The terrorist we see at the moment is not a national phenomenon and therefore existing European tools for investigation and for prevention of terrorism must be used better. That includes getting rid of terrorist propaganda in the Internet, to remove illegal content and find the perpetrators.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Angel DZHAMBAZKI (ECR, BG), On the funding of terrorism, the sources of funding should not be bailed out as we did with Turkey, rather they should be sanctioned. To those who organise terrorism, such as Saudi-Arabia, sanctions should be imposed; otherwise terrorism will become an everyday happening in Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jan Philipp ALBRECHT (Greens/EFA, DE), It's still not working information sharing, especially when it comes to information on suspects, on risks, and that's what we need to strengthen, not gathering loads of data on individuals that are not relevant at all for investigators but concentrating on the quick information exchange on those who are suspicious and those areas where there are risks.