Sommaire: March 10, 2005: Speech by José Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission. Fighting terrorism together in the EU. International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security (Madrid)
First of all, I would like to thank the organisation of the Club de Madrid, its President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the city of Madrid and the President of the Spanish government Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, for the opportunity to address this important summit and in this special occasion.
11 March 2005 is the first anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in Europe in recent history. As of now, it also marks the first European day for the victims of terrorism. I trust that the tremendous loss of lives in Madrid on 11 March 2004 will remain etched forever in the memory of all Europeans. This day is an occasion for us to express once again our sympathy and extend our solidarity to those who lost their lives or still bear the mental and physical scars of that tragic day. Some
20 nationalities were involved. So this is also a scar for Europe and the whole world. I would like once more to pay tribute to the courageous manner in which the people directly concerned by these attacks, the victims, the helpers, the police, the people of Madrid and Spanish society as a whole reacted to that horrendous event. That day was a sad day for all citizens that believe in the ideals of freedom, human rights, rule of law, democracy and tolerance.
Allow me to make a personal observation. I was here, the day after the terrible attack, to participate to the demonstration that took place in Madrid. I was President of the Portuguese government and I felt the need to show to the Spanish people the solidarity of the Portuguese people, so close to Spain: I will never forget the impressive atmosphere of silence and sympathy of the demonstration. It is also for this reason that I wanted to be here today: to express again all my deep solidarity
and from the Institution that I represent.
The attacks of 11 March 2004, as well as the attacks in the U.S of 11 September 2001, and similar attacks like the ones in Morocco (Casablanca), Tunisia (Djerba), Turkey (Istanbul), Indonesia (Bali), Russia (Beslan and Moscow) and Iraq, have shown us is that terrorism is a serious threat that concerns us all. Terrorism is a global phenomenon, and the struggle against it must therefore be carried to the world stage. It requires determination and unity. The reaction of the European Union and of
its partners to the terrorist threat has shown that we do not shy away from the challenge. Terrorists will not win. They will not make progress. We will stand firm. As is normal in a free society, we may not always agree on each and every detail of each and every measure to be taken. But nobody should be under any illusions. The fact that we discuss, and sometimes disagree, is no sign of weakness. We may discuss, and sometimes disagree, but ultimately we unite in the essentials. This is a sign
of our strength and our capability to defend what we cherish, namely our freedom.
The EU has involved itself in the fight against terrorism long before the most recent terrorist attacks. Over the past years, we have witnessed a deplorable shift of gear as terrorists operate increasingly through international networks and across borders. But at the same time, we have made considerable progress in working more together to confront terrorism. Unfortunately, this did not stop the Madrid terrorist attack on 11 March 2004 from happening. However, our increased cooperation and
determined action makes it ever more unlikely that such attacks can have any chance of lasting effect. Terrorists can kill. But they cannot shake our democratic order and our resolve to maintain it.
An attack against an EU citizen is an attack against all Member State citizens. An attack against a Member State is an attack against the Union. It is an attack against the values we stand for. Terrorism seeks to destabilise societies by creating tension, fear and panic. Reactions to the Madrid events of last year made it clear that a terrorist attack on any part of the EU affects the EU in its entirety. This is natural because the EU is a Union of nations whose Governments have signed a
Constitutional Treaty that solemnly announces the principle of solidarity. The security requirements of such a Union reach beyond borders. The positive vote to the EU Constitution by the Spanish people is a step forward in ensuring that the Spanish people - as well as all peoples of the EU - will be future beneficiaries of the principle of solidarity.
I want to re-affirm the commitment of the European Commission to a robust security policy. Security is one of the three pillars of the strategic objectives for this Commission's mandate. The Commission will submit an action plan for the implementation of the so-called Hague Programme put forward by the European Council in the field of justice, liberty and security in June. This action plan will carry our efforts further and make our action more efficient and effective. Let me illustrate what
this means by giving you a few very concrete examples.
2005 is a crucial year in terms of follow up of the EU's terrorism policy. This concerns notably the prevention, preparedness and response to terrorist attacks in areas such as terrorist financing, prevention and consequence management and critical infrastructure protection. The Commission is answering the challenge with deeds. The achievements, however, will be progressive and will rely on proactive Member State action and co-operation. After all, the police forces and the intelligence
services are within the responsibility of Member States.
The Commission is already working to set-up a secure general rapid alert system to link all existing rapid alert systems at EU level, as well as a Crisis Centre that would, during an emergency, bring together the different services of the Commission. This Centre will coordinate efforts so as to evaluate the best practicable options for action and decide on appropriate response measures.
The Commission will also present a proposal for a European Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network. This will be the first step in the preparatory work on establishing a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection.
The Commission is also working to deliver by next year a proposal for establishing a European Law Enforcement Network for the fight against terrorism. This should link the law enforcement authorities of the Member States with Europol and the Commission's rapid alert system.
The Commission will present a communication on measures to ensure greater security of explosives, bomb-making equipment and firearms still this year. This communication is likely to contain a proposal for a Council Decision on the establishment of a European Network of Bomb Disposal Squads.
At the same time, the Commission is working to deliver a 'legislative package' on access to relevant law enforcement information and the necessary safeguards, in particular data protection. It is also preparing proposals aimed at enhancing the flow of information between counter-terrorism related services at national and European institutional level.
We will continue to work with our external partners and international organisations to promote a comprehensive global approach to the fight against terrorism. We are making the fight against terrorism an integral part of the EU's external relations.
All this may sound quite technical - but all this is important for our capacity to withstand the challenge, and the progress made shows you that the Commission takes this challenge seriously.
In doing so, we are determined to balance security considerations with the protection of individual rights and freedoms. The Charter of Fundamental Rights underscores the protection of civil liberties in the EU. With the integration of the Charter into the new Constitutional Treaty, the fact that fundamental and human rights guide the development of the EU's security policies will be further emphasised.
But one thing should be clear. The rights threatened by terrorism, such as the rights to life, freedom and security, are among the most cherished human rights. The preservation of those rights is a fundamental task that should mobilise all our democratic societies.
We cannot bring back the lives lost to their beloved. But we can work together to make our societies more secure and offer the promise of a better world to our children. We owe this much to the victims. Their sufferings, and the sufferings of their relatives, call us to the task. The best way to remember them is to take the concrete steps that can be taken, as quickly and as decisively as possible. It is in this spirit that we honour them today.
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