On 28/01/2015, during EP plenary session in Brussels, MEPs debate about anti-terrorism measures. Extracts from statements by Jan Philipp ALBRECHT (Greens/EFA, DE), Paul NUTTALL (EFDD, UK), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), Cornelia ERNST (GUE/NGL, DE).

Brussels

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

plenary session

PITTELLA, Gianni (S&D, IT)

fight against terrorism (T)

ALBRECHT, Jan Philipp (Greens/EFA, DE)

HOHLMEIER, Monika (EPP, DE)

NUTTALL, Paul (EFDD, UK)

ERNST, Cornelia (The Left, DE)

KIRKHOPE, Timothy (ECR, UK)

Anti-terrorism measures: extracts from MEPs debate

SOUNDBITE (German), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), "Regardless of whether the governments are socialist, conservative, greens&hellip; all governments have adopted the same agenda on this matter and I would like to see such firm resolve here in this Parliament, so that it is crystal clear to the general public what we seek to achieve. We need to rush out the points of substance, look at the instruments that law enforcement authorities need to fight against terrorism: PNR and so on and so forth. These are issues that may be controversial but we need to look at these measures, we need to look at prevention, at different types of radicalisation, how ca we de-radicalise people? What can we do in prisons? We need to talk to third countries too.. My appeal to all colleagues is that we work together to prove that we are not going to be divided by petty issues&rdquo;.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), &ldquo;The PNR is not going to be the ultimate solution to all problems on its own; the PNR may be one factor in a very long equation: and let&rsquo;s start by enhancing judicial cooperation. Intelligence pulling, strengthening our foreign policy, having a common policy in dealing with countries on the Southern shore of the Mediterranean, and lastly a policy that must embrace inclusion and integration. Many young terrorists come from pockets of poverty, from the margins of society, where people have been squeeze out. That&rsquo;s what we need to tackle: more education, better funding for schools, more dialogue&rdquo;.

SOUNDBITE (English), Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), &ldquo;Europol says that there are over 3000 EU foreign fighters radicalised, militarily trained, returning to the EU and exploiting the gaps and deficiencies in law enforcement information exchanges across the EU. This directive (PNR) would help to address that. Presently there is no EU legal framework for citizens or the airlines, no clear legal or administrative redress on the use of data. My (PNR) directive would create these rights and clear legal boundaries. I ask the political groups and members: work with me, cooperate with me, we can find a solution together to protect lives and to protect civil liberties&rdquo;.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), &ldquo;In all major terrorists attacks over the past ten years the perpetrators were known by the services of the different countries. And the problem is today not so much that we don&rsquo;t collect the info, the problem is that we don&rsquo;t share the info between all services in Europe. What we have to do is to create what we call a &lsquo;Euro-Intel&rsquo;: sharing information, common risk sharing, common analysis of the risk that are at stake&rdquo;.

SOUNDBITE (German), Cornelia ERNST (GUE/NGL, DE), &ldquo;We must fight terrorism where it is generated. And it&rsquo;s been generated in countries like Iraq, why? Because the Sunni population has been humiliated, there hasn&rsquo;t been any reconciliation. And terrorism it&rsquo;s being promoted by Saudi Arabia, a King who the western leaders are shaking hand with. The first issue has to be no arms exports to this sort of areas!&rdquo;

SOUNDBITE (English), Jan Philipp ALBRECHT (Greens/EFA, DE), (Addressing EU Commissioner) &ldquo;You are delivering a symbolic measure on the cost of effective security and the civil liberties of EU citizens. Already before the Paris attacks it was possible to know who is on which plane; we already know it, we have the &lsquo;advanced passenger information&rsquo;. It&rsquo;s there, we can access it, we know who is on the planes, so, with regards to &lsquo;non suspects&rsquo;, we can&rsquo;t follow them. So why don&rsquo;t we focus on the suspects? Why don&rsquo;t we focus on the risk?&rdquo;

SOUNDBITE (English), Paul NUTTALL (EFDD, UK), &ldquo;If we want to tackle terrorism in Europe, firstly we need Europe&rsquo;s Muslims on side, secondly, we must hold Turkey to account and thirdly we must control our own borders&rdquo;.