§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken in conjunction with other European states to increase security after the events of 11 September 2001. [66635]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 3 July 2002]Heads of State and Government of the European Union (EU) endorsed an Action Plan on 21 September, following the terrorist attacks in the United States. The Action Plan sets out agreed decisions on a range of measures to combat global terrorism and to improve practical co-operation among member states. The Action Plan includes
Creation of fast-track extradition and an EU arrest warrant, which should significantly reduce obstacles to extradition within EU;Agreement on common EU offences and penalties for terrorist activity;746WSetting up a team of EU member states' anti-terrorist experts who can ensure timely collection and analysis of information and intelligence and draft threat assessments;Rapid implementation of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism by all EU member states;Requirement that the potential impact on the fight against crime and terrorism is fully considered in drafting European Community legislation;Measures on freezing of assets and evidence andReview of the EU's relations with third countries in the light of their support for counter-terrorism.