Summary: Vice-President Franco Frattini, European Union Commissioner Responsible For Freedom, Security And Justice, On The Occasion Of The 6th Anniversary Of The September 11 Terrorist Attacks:
September 11, 2007
"Six years ago today, the 9/11 attacks shocked the entire world. We mourn the victims who died on that horrific day. Our hearts and thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, and all who have been affected by terrorist acts.
The 9/11 attacks changed forever our understanding of security: security now comes first, because it assures the right to life we previously took for granted.
Since then security threats, especially those posed by terrorists, have remained constant. Only last week Danish, and then German authorities, captured terrorist suspects just before an attack could be made.
Stopping the final stage of a terrorist attack was in itself an impressive result. But there can't be room for complacency or letting down our guard. Terrorism is a constant threat. It is also a long-term one.
There is much long-term work we are carrying out at European level: from initiatives on radicalization, bio-terrorism, security of explosives and detonators, and the need to constantly monitor the web. The web remains a fantastic opportunity for education and freedom but also a way for Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists to communicate all around the world, as well as for disseminating information on how to make explosives.
We must also ensure that our counter-terrorism work is underpinned by the best technology we can have. This is vital for us and difficult too because we have to strike the right balance between the right to security and the other fundamental rights of individuals, including privacy and procedural rights.
We have already taken strong action: the Council and the European Parliament have significantly increased funding to meet this new security challenge, crucial as it is a long term challenge, and have to face the changing nature of security threats.
Security is not only about technological tools: it is also about the resilience of our societies, finding appropriate measures and improving cooperation, most of all at international level. You can not fight terrorism alone: an international network must be faced by a big structured alliance. We work closely together with the United States and other partners around the world in the fight against terrorism. And Europe, as an important actor engaged with this fight, is and must be, the provider −
and not only a consumer of security − bringing added value for the benefit of our citizens and the entire world."
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