On 28/01/2015, at EP in Brussels, during plenary session, Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, EC&nbsp;Member in charge of Migration and Home Affairs, makes a statement&nbsp;on anti-terrorism measures.

Brussels

plenary session

fight against terrorism (T)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Anti-terrorism measures: extracts from the Commission statement

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, EC Member in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship,,  "It has become once again clear, that we are faced with an increased an severe terrorist threat to Europeans. We have seen that terrorism knows no borders. Terrorist travel, financing or access to weapons are, by definition, cross-border and require a strong, united and coherent response by the entire Union".

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, EC Member in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, "This is not a time for competition amongst the institutions to act and to be seen as acting. Danger of announcing badly thought-through ideas, which cannot then be delivered, leaving citizens even more disillusioned with the European Union."

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS,  EC Member in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship,, "One example is the EU Passenger Name Record Directive. An EU PNR directive is necessary to enhance substantially the security of all people living in Europe. We need to make sure that our law enforcement authorities have access to data which is necessary for the prevention of terrorist acts and serious transnational crimes."

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, EC Member in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship,, <p>"The fight against organised crime and terrorism financing needs to be stepped up. We must also deprive terrorists of their sources of finance. The link with organised crime is striking. Ensuring the effective implementation of the fourth Anti Money Laundering Directive and the Funds Transfers Regulation agreed upon in December is crucial."</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, EC Member in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, "We will very shortly organise a joint meeting with Europol and Eurojust to see how information sharing can already be improved under the current legal framework."

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, EC Member in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, "A new Agenda for European Security will be presented in the coming months around May for the years 2015-2020. This Agenda should aim to ensure the highest level of protection of Fundamental Rights of our citizens and those residing, staying or visiting the European Union."

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS,  EC Member in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship,, "The Commission has voiced its determination to take this up as a matter of priority. Working hand in hand with the European Parliament in developing a coherent response will be essential for defining and developing actions that keep Europe both secure and open."