During the EP plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, MEP debate on EU Security agenda, one year after the terrorist attacks in Maelbeek metro station and in Brussels Airport Zaventem (22/03/2016). Statements by Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU, Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), and Malin BJ&Ouml;RK (GUE/NGL, SE).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

fight against terrorism (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

FAJON, Tanja (S&D, SI)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

BJÖRK, Malin (The Left, SE)

BORG, Ian (MT)

EU Security agenda; one year after the Brussels attacks: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Now in this parliament we have worked hard to speed up efforts on common EU rules on better information about passengers travelling from and to the EU, with our PNR system. We have introduced systematic checks at our external borders. We have pushed forward strategies against radicalisation, against those who preach hate and incite terror. We have gone after the money and tackled terrorism financing. And crucially, we have moved forward towards better support for the victims of terrorism.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU, In relation to external borders, an additional safeguard will be provided as of next month, when the amendment to the Schengen Borders Code to reinforce checks against relevant databases at external borders in light of the increased terrorist threats will enter into force. Member States will have to carry out systematic checks on all persons, also those enjoying the right of free movement under EU Law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), We will not cease in our efforts until we secure a Europe that is safer. Information sharing between Member States must be improved, and we have to ensure that our law enforcement agencies have all the tools and the resources that they need to respond and to remain one step ahead of the terrorists and their networks. Our IT systems must be able to operate in tandem with each other. And we need to look at what law enforcement controls need improving.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), When our continent came under attack, we did not shy away from the challenge. We identified where we need to do more, we stood up and we gave a European response. Our fear did not define us, determination did. And it will continue to do so.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, We have put important proposals on the table that you need to adopt swiftly to make a difference for the security of our citizens. Entry-exit. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). The Schengen Information System. Work should be completed this year. What we agreed should be fully and correctly implemented. PNR, The Counter-Terrorism Directive, our new rules on fire-arms have entered a crucial stage of implementation. And as you understand we cannot afford to fail. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), In the S&amp;D group today we call both the Commission and Member states for concrete actions. We need full analysis of all the measures currently in place on national and EU level. We need to know which are implemented and whether they are efficient. Or if some of them are not working or what is still missing or can be improved. What is certainly missing is cooperation and information intelligence exchange between the countries. We need to better address and tackle the rout causes of terrorism around the world. We have to do more on bridging Europe&rsquo;s social divide, de-radicalisation, social inclusion and education should be at the core of the counter terrorism strategy.

SOUNDBITE (French), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Greens/EFA Group leader, I think that our priorities should be simple. We know how the attacks are going to take place, we should share the information among the services and we know that sharing information is the weak link and we need to exploit the information and we need human resources to do that so we are reducing police forces and they are completely exhausted.

SOUNDBITE (English), Malin BJ&#214;RK (GUE/NGL, SE), I was in the Brussels airport the day of the attack. I was in the Arrivals hall waiting to go out through Customs when we heard and felt the first explosion and then the second explosion, and some of us thought that the roof was coming down upon us. Others didn't dare to run for the exit because they thought people would stand there and shoot. And my body remembers that fear and it is in that feeling that I refuse those who say that we have to learn to live with this. Terrorism is man-made and we can undo it. But it is also here that I get politically angry because I see an one-sided focus on militarised security, on surveillance technology and I think it's short-sighted and it's inefficient. It won't stop the Breiviks, mentioned here earlier or the Abdelsalams of this Europe. We need to shift focus, we need to create inclusive societies, more equal, we need to speak about gender equality, we need to counteract racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia.