Torn by climate change, food insecurity, uncontrolled population growth, political instability and terrorism, the Sahel poses an evolving threat on Europe’s doorstep, as the August coup in Mali has once again shown. With more or less success, the EU’s strategy for the region has tried to address the multiple factors of instability but the new action plan for the region will need to take the EU’s and Africa’s new geopolitical interests on board if it is to be more successful than its predecessor

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding the EU Strategy for the Sahel

Faced with a persistentterrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an increasinglyambitious role in counter-terrorism. While primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon. Moreover,awareness of the connection between development and stability, as well as between internal and external security, has come to shape EU action beyond Union borders. EU spending on counter- terrorism has increased over the years, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security and justice, such as Europol, eu-LISA and Eurojust.

 
The many new rules and instruments that have been adopted in recent years focus, among other things, on harmonising definitions of terrorist offences and sanctions, sharing information and data,protecting borders, countering terrorist financing and regulating firearms. However, implementing and evaluating the various measures is a challenging task. The European Parliament has played an active role not only in shaping legislation, but also in evaluating existing tools and gaps through the work accomplished by its Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) in 2018.

 
In line with the Parliament's recommendations, as well as the priorities set by the European Commission and its counter-terrorism agenda presented in December 2020, EU counter-terrorism action has focused on doing more to anticipate threats, counter radicalisation, and reduce vulnerabilities by making critical infrastructures more resilient and improving the protection of public spaces. The EU will also continue to address the online dimension of various forms of extremism, in line with the regulations on dissemination of terrorist content online and on theprovision of digital services in the EU.

Fight against terrorism

Nearly all European countries have been affected by terrorism in one form or another and tackling it has never been easy.

 
The attacks in Nice, Brussels and Paris demonstrated once again the challenge of finding a rapid and effective response to those who would destroy us, while safeguarding our freedom and way of life. In the unfolding battle against terror, Parliament has an active role to play.

Fight against terrorism - 8th parliamentary term

In a November plenary vote Parliament demanded&nbsp;a robust and multifaceted approach to combat all forms of racism and discrimination, including structural and institutional racism, in the EU.

In a resolution&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemned&nbsp;that minorities and migrants, including LGBTQI persons, face structural racism, discrimination, hate, sustained inequalities, difficulties in accessing the justice system, and violence by the police.

As reported by the 2019 Eurobarometer, over half of Europeans believe that racial discrimination is widespread in their country, with “Being Roma” (61% of respondents), “Ethnic origin” (59%) and “Skin colour” (59%) being the top three grounds for discrimination.

On 18 September 2020, the European Commission published its communication “A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025”. Concretely, the Action Plan calls for better enforcement of EU law; closer coordination, including through the appointment of a Coordinator for Anti-racism; the adoption of national action plans against racism and racial discrimination; more efforts in preventing discriminatory attitudes by law enforcement authorities; and increased diversity of staff in the EU institutions. Equality is one of the fundamental values on which the EU is founded.

It is duly reflected in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. International agreements, such as the European Convention on Human Rights also prohibit discrimination on various grounds, with limited exceptions in justified cases. With regard to the fight against racism and xenophobia, the main EU instrument is the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law. This framework decision harmonises criminal definitions and sanctions.&nbsp;

Fight against racism and xenophobia

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.

Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon. EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/fight-against-terrorism-8th-parliamentary-term_2802_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Fight against terrorism (2019-2020)

EP President, Roberta METSOLA participates in the Commemoration Ceremony marking Ten years since the attacks of 22 March 2016

After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs discuss how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries.

MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

Commemoration of the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks

EP Plenary session - Condemnation of the terrorist attack against the Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney and solidarity with the victims and their families

Tribute to Antonio Megalizzi and Bartosz Orent-Niedzielski, victims of the Strasbourg terrorist attack in December 2018

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Ceremony for the victims of November 13th attacks

EP Plenary session -  Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the islamist attacks of 13 November 2015 in Paris

EP Plenary session - Voting session

European, German, French and Croatian flags at half-mast in Brussels and in Strasbourg, as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia

EP Plenary session - Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea

MEPs vote on Simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products / Amending Decision (EU) 2015/1814 as regards the market stability reserve for the buildings, road transport and additional sector / European Chemicals Agency and amending Regulations / International Cocoa Agreement / EU/Iceland agreement: transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorist offences and serious crime / EU-Norway Agreement on transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime / EU/USA/Iceland/Norway Air Transport Agreement and EU/Iceland/Norway Ancillary Agreement / Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers

Voting session

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, gives an opening statement on the 10th anniversary of the Brussels terrorist attacks and ask the assembly for a minute of silence. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the 10th anniversary of the Brussels terrorist attacks followed by a minute of silence

This news item features excerpts from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s participation at the commemoration of the Brussels terrorist attacks, attended by the Belgian royal couple. On 22 March 2016, two bombs detonated at approximately 7:58 AM in the check-in area of Zaventem Airport, killing 16 people. A third explosion occurred at around 9:11 AM at Maelbeek metro station, claiming another 16 lives. Courtesy © FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Commemoration of the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President: extracts from the event

This News item shows extracts from the tribute to Antonio MEGALIZZI and Bartosz ORENT-NIEDZKIELSKI, victims of the Strasbourg terrorist attack in December 2018, in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

Tribute to Antonio MEGALIZZI and Bartosz ORENT-NIEDZKIELSKI, victims of the Strasbourg terrorist attack in December 2018, in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President: extracts from the ceremony

MEPs condemn the terrorist attack against the Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney and solidarity with the victims and their families.

Condemnation of the terrorist attack against the Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney and solidarity with the victims and their families: MEPs debate

EP President Roberta METSOLA makes a statement on the seventh anniversary of the 2018 terrorist attack at the Christmas market of Strasbourg (France)

Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the seventh anniversary of the 2018 terrorist attack at the Christmas market of Strasbourg (France)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, makes a statement following the 2025 Bondi Beach (Australia) mass shooting. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President following the 2025 Bondi Beach (Australia) mass shooting

One round of political group speakers commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Paris islamist attacks of 13 November 2015.

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