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Europaudvalget 2014-15 (1. samling)
Uformelt Det Europæiske Råd 12-13/2-15 Bilag 6
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European Council

Brussels, 12 February 2015

SN 10/15

Informal meeting of the Heads of State or Government

Brussels, 12 February 2015

Statement by the members of the European Council

Europeans have reacted with deep sorrow and strong unity to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

These attacks targeted the fundamental values and human rights that are at the heart of the European

Union - solidarity, freedom, including freedom of expression, pluralism, democracy, tolerance and

human dignity. All citizens have the right to live free from fear, whatever their opinions or beliefs.

We will safeguard our common values and protect all from violence based on ethnic or religious

motivations and racism.

This also means fighting the enemies of our values. We will further reinforce action against terrorist

threats, in full compliance with human rights and the rule of law. Today we agreed on the following

to guide work over the months to come:

1. Ensuring the security of citizens

The security of citizens is an immediate necessity. We must better implement and further develop

the tools we have, in particular to detect and disrupt terrorist-related travel, notably of foreign

terrorist fighters. We ask that:

• EU legislators urgently adopt a strong and effective European Passenger Name Records directive

with solid data protection safeguards;

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• full use be made of the existing Schengen framework to reinforce and modernise external

borders' control: we agree to proceed without delay to systematic and coordinated checks on

individuals enjoying the right of free movement against databases relevant to the fight against

terrorism based on common risk indicators; the Commission should issue rapidly operational

guidelines for this; we will also consider a targeted amendment to the Schengen Borders Code

where necessary to provide for permanent checks, based on a proposal by the Commission;

• law enforcement and judicial authorities step up information sharing and operational

cooperation, including through Europol and Eurojust;

• all competent authorities increase cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking of firearms,

including by a swift adaptation of the relevant legislation;

• Member States' security services deepen their cooperation;

• Member States quickly implement the strengthened rules to prevent money laundering and

terrorist financing, and that all competent authorities step up action to trace financial flows and

to freeze effectively assets used for financing terrorism;

• work towards the adoption of the Network and Information Security Directive advance rapidly,

given the importance of cyber-security.

2. Preventing radicalisation and safeguarding values

Preventing radicalisation is a key element of the fight against terrorism. Instruments need to be

brought together in a comprehensive approach to address this phenomenon. We call for:

• adequate measures to be taken, in accordance with national constitutions, to detect and remove

internet content promoting terrorism or extremism, including through greater cooperation

between public authorities and the private sector at EU level, also working with Europol to

establish internet referral capabilities;

• communication strategies to promote tolerance, non-discrimination, fundamental freedoms and

solidarity throughout the EU, including through stepping up inter-faith and other community

dialogue, and narratives to counter terrorist ideologies, including by giving a voice to victims;

• initiatives regarding education, vocational training, job opportunities, social integration and

rehabilitation in the judicial context to address factors contributing to radicalisation, including in

prisons.

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3. Cooperating with our international partners

The EU's external relations must also contribute to countering the terrorist threat, which is

escalating in certain parts of the EU's neighbourhood, in particular Syria and Libya. We need:

• to address crises and conflicts, in particular in our Southern Neighbourhood, through a strategic

rethinking of our approach;

• to engage more with third countries on security issues and counter-terrorism, particularly in the

Middle East and North Africa and in the Sahel, but also in the Western Balkans, including

through new capacity building projects (e.g. border controls) with partners and better targeted

EU assistance;

• sustained and coordinated international engagement with the UN and Global Counterterrorism

Forum as well as with relevant regional initiatives;

• a dialogue among cultures and civilisations to promote fundamental freedoms together.

Over recent weeks the Council has stepped up its work in the fight against terrorism. The European

Union will take this work forward promptly, fully involving the High Representative, the EU

Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and the Member States. In April the Commission will present a

proposal for a comprehensive European Agenda on Security. The Council will report on the

detailed implementation of these orientations by the June European Council.

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