Recent terrorist attacks in the EU have raised concerns about security among European citizens. What needs to be put in place to protect us and enhance our security? What technological measures are already in use, and how can technology further secure our safety? How can we identify common threats and develop a common response?

data protection

rights of the individual

terrorism

judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the EU

EU borders

Security

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/17161468/B01-ESN-180326-EN.srt

Terrorist attacks in Europe  have raised concern

and the majority wants the EU  to do more to fight terrorism.

It has become clear that common threats  require a common response.

How can we better protect  our borders and prevent new attacks?

How can technology enhance  our security?

The EU remains  one of the safest places in the world,

but terrorism has disrupted  the paradigm of its security.

There are naturally consequences  from each attack.

There have been improvements  to security apparatus,

and they have been equipped  with better technology.

Considerations have been made  for further improving the connection

between security agencies,  in order to improve their coordination.

The decisive factor is being  able to recognise

a potential attacker in time, secure them  and keep them safer under control.

that we become better at sharing  information among the member states.

Through better cooperation amongst  all European and national stakeholders,

we'll be able to take  effective action against current threats.

Whether helping to prevent  or solve crime,

Europol supports member states  in their fight against terrorism,

the European law enforcement agency  can more easily set up specialised units

and exchange information  with private companies,

like asking Facebook to remove  pages operated by the Islamic State.

A landmark case for Europol,  but for Europe unfortunately,

was actually  the Paris Bataclan attacks.

This was when Europe realised that  the terrorism threat is not singular,

but it also changed in that,  in not even 2 months,

Europol got an additional centre:  the European counter-terrorism centre,

which now works together  with the member states.

We have a regulation,  a new regulation for Europol,

which accomplishes more  in terms of law enforcement

and police work in Europe.  It's an important step.

With a reinforced Europol,  we are fulfilling our part at a European level.

Now more is expected  of the member states:

more cooperation,  more sharing of information,

more use of the instruments  that they have at their disposal.

Train stations, metro lines and airports  have been targeted by terrorists.

A direct attack  on the freedom of movement,

in March 2016, terrorism hit  Brussels international airport,

highlighting the need  to find new processes

and new measures  to ensure people's security.

There is also new technology:  automatic border control,

The PNR is the Passenger Name Record,  which will be an obligation amongst Europe,

so that all airlines have  to share information

in a certain database  with the government on who is travelling.

At the European level, we need to work on having  a better means of exchanging data,

sharing knowledge, and coordinating  with each other, cooperating.

As a result, we need to improve  security at the external borders.

The introduction of systematic checks  at the EU's external borders is a tool

that can contribute to dealing  with the increase in foreign terrorist fighters.

This approach can only work if there is  access to reliable data in EU databases.

Thanks to border entry/exit systems  equipped with automatic security gates,

we hope, and it will  undoubtedly be the case,

to reduce waiting times  at border controls

and reinforce the quality  of these controls

by detecting fraudulent documents  and identity fraud more easily.

Exchange of information on people  crossing the EU's external borders,

staying in the EU,  or applying for asylum,

But the current system for collecting,  processing and sharing of data

The EU already  has a lot of databases.

Our problem is that very often  these databases can't speak with each other.

So that EU officials and  law enforcement have the possibility

to have the same dataset  and that they can look into it.

Today, more than ever,  we need to take action.

We need to measure up  to our responsibilities

and the confidence placed  in us by the citizens of Europe.