EU Statement on crime prevention and criminal justice - Vienna

Sommaire: May 22, 2003: Intervention by Greece on behalf of the European Union Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, 12th session (13-22 May, 2003) (Vienna)

Agenda Item 6: Strengthening International Cooperation and Technical Assistance in Preventing and Combating Terrorism

1. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, and the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, associate themselves with this statement.

2. Mr. Chairman, the fight against terrorism is a priority goal of the European Union. Terrorism constitutes a threat to democracy and the rule of law, to the free exercise of human rights and to economic and social development, principles which are common to the member states of the EU. On the basis of the Action Plan adopted by the European Council in 2001, the EU continues to develop its activities in all areas related to the fight against terrorism, respecting the principles embodied in a society built on the rule of law and human rights. In this context, special attention is accorded to the following areas:

Enhancing justice, security and protection of the EU citizens, through measures such as strengthening police and judicial cooperation, cross-border control and exchange of information between the competent authorities of member states.
Intensifying efforts against the financing of terrorist activities, in order to implement UNSC resolution 1373, through the development of a common list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts against which an obligation to freeze funds applies, as well as through the exchange of experiences on national measures in the field of prevention of the financing of terrorism.
Deepening the cooperation between the EU and other States, with a view to consolidating the international engagement in the fight against terrorism.

3. In the area of judicial cooperation, the EU is constantly elaborating new measures. Significant progress has been made during the previous year with the adoption in June 2002 of two framework decisions: on the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between EU Member States as well as on combating terrorism. In addition to the several legal instruments in force, closer judicial cooperation will be provided by the new European arrest warrant, which covers terrorism amongst other offences and by new provisions for seizures of proceeds of crime. From the beginning of 2004 extradition between EU member states will be replaced by a simplified surrender procedure based on an enhanced system of mutual recognition of judicial decisions. As far as the second framework decision is concerned, a major development has been the establishment of a common definition of various types of terrorist offences and a definition of a terrorist group. Other relevant operational European services such as Eurojust and Europol are also actively engaged in the fight against terrorism.

4. Through the European Commission, the EU is already providing technical assistance to third countries in the fields relevant to the implementation of UNSCR 1373. Building capacity within the police and judiciary, border security and countering terrorist financing and money laundering are examples of where the EU has an extensive track record through programmes in Central and Eastern Europe and elsewhere. Within this framework, pilot projects on technical assistance to third countries regarding the implementation of UNSC resolution 1373 have been launched. On the basis of rapid evaluation of experiences gained from the pilot projects and lessons learned, future assistance projects in this area will be prepared. The EU is also actively promoting cooperation with international organizations, in particular within the UN system, and other multilateral institutions, in an effort to broaden and strengthen concerted international cooperation against terrorism.

5. Mr. Chairman, the EU believes that the United Nations constitutes the overall framework for the global fight against terrorism, through its relevant bodies and entities as well as through the development of international legal instruments. In this respect, we strongly support the intensification of efforts towards finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and towards universal signing and ratification of the 12 existing UN counter-terrorism conventions.

6. The importance of the role of the CICP in assisting states in strengthening their legal frameworks and institutional capacity to prevent and combat terrorism, in close coordination, especially with the Counter-Terrorism Committee, and other relevant UN bodies as well as other regional and sub-regional organizations, has been underlined on various occasions. Raising awareness on the relevant international instruments as well as providing technical assistance, at the request of Member States, for their implementation, by building upon the particular expertise of the Centre, constitute the main elements of an effective action of the CICP in this area. The EU appreciates the launching of the CICP's Global Programme against Terrorism. We are pleased to note that, while avoiding duplication and taking into account the recommendations of the Policy Working Group on the UN and Terrorism, specific activities developed as part of the Global Programme's framework complement and strengthen the work already undertaken within the UN system in this area.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Ref: PRES03-064EN
Source UE: Présidence UE
UN forum: Autres
Date: 22/5/2003

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