In response to a heightened threat of Jihadist terrorism in Europe, following several serious terrorist incidents in recent months, an extraordinary meeting of high-ranking police representatives from the EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland, was held in Berlin on 7-8 February 2017.
Organised by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the European Union’s law enforcement agency Europol, almost 100 participants gathered in Berlin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider means by which to enhance the coordination of European police efforts to fight terrorism.
Key topics of discussion included the current state of the terrorist threat in Europe following the attack in Berlin in December 2016 and Paris recently, best practice methodologies for police response to terrorist incidents, and enhanced use of the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) at Europol for the purpose of increasing information sharing and operational coordination between national counter terrorism agencies. The meeting concluded to reinforce national and European arrangements for cooperation via ECTC, including through the establishment of an operational steering board of leading Member States and Europol.
Holger Münch, President of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA): “Today’s terrorists are extremely mobile. They work together in international networks and take advantage of modern communication technology. We can only be successful in the fight against terrorism if all European security authorities work closely together and are coordinated by a central body. The most recent attacks in Europe have shown that, in particular, the exchange of information needs to be further enhanced and European information systems must be better coordinated. The establishment of an operational steering board at Europol is another important keystone for a strong European security network.”
Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol: “Europe is facing the most serious terrorist threat for over ten years. The increasing transnational nature of terrorist groups and their activities demand ever closer collaboration between relevant law enforcement authorities across Europe. The European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) has been established at Europol for this purpose. I am pleased by the confidence expressed in the work of this centre by the police chiefs meeting in Berlin and by their clear commitment to enhance collaboration efforts even further.”
- Portuguese military force ambushed in Central African Republic
- Hurricane Lorenzo reaches the Azores
- Eighty one arrests in investigation targeting Spanish cocaine trafficking group
- Tancos Military Weapons theft case: Former Director of the Military Judicial Police Luis Vieira will ask to make a pre-trial statement
- Azores prepares for arrival of Hurricane Lorenzo
- GOVERNO PRORROGA PERÍODO CRÍTICO DE INCÊNDIOS
- Government Extends Critical Fire Period unitil 10th October 2019
- Azores Regional Government prepares the necessary measures to face Hurricane Lorenzo
- Four GNR military defendants accused of Tancos in disciplinary proceedings opened by IGAI
- PSP detain two persons for using counterfeit 100 Euro bank notes
- Four arrested for international drug trafficking at Lisbon airport
- Secretary of State for Civil Protection Resigns from office
- São Miguel Island – Person identifies in connection with the theft of gold items from a resident
- Some 7000 operative dealt with 25 major fires on 13th and 14th September
- Safe Communities Recognized as a Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation
