New EU anti-terror chief warns of ‘Islamic extremism’

The EU’s new anti-terror coordinator says ‘Islamic extremism’ poses the greatest security threat to Europe.

Speaking in parliament on Monday, Gilles de Kerchove, a former Belgian justice minister, also called for tougher border controls to combat terror.

The former law professor also reassured EU member states that his role was to support, not replace, their efforts in tackling terrorism.

Addressing a packed civil liberties committee, he said that “there is no doubt in my mind that Islamic extremism is currently the greatest threat to security in Europe”.

He said that, contrary to what some may think, international terror network Al-Qaeda had not been dismantled and continued to be a “source of inspiration” to other similar groups.

“Other groups have adopted the tactics and goals of Al-Qaeda and, in addition to this, we also have to see Islamic terrorism in north Africa as a serious threat,” he said.

“This is one of the reasons why we need to beef up protection of our borders.”

“While trying to combat terrorism, however, we need to avoid trampling on people’s rights and freedoms and, instead, seek a consensus,” he added.

“In all this, let us also not lose sight of extremism of another kind – that posed by extreme nationalists, including groups like Eta in Spain.”

The post of anti-terrorism coordinator was created in 2004 in response to the Madrid train bombs which left nearly 200 people dead. His role is to coordinate counter-terror work in member states and monitor the implementation of EU anti-terrorism measures.

De Kerchove, in his first appearance before the committee since his appointment, also called for a closer working relationship between Europol, the EU police office, and the judicial body, Eurojust.

“Collaboration between these two bodies needs to be intensified,” he said.

He aims to work closely with member states, he said.

“I want to listen to what national parliaments, and the European parliament, have to say.”

“But I want to stress that this role is not designed to replace what member states are doing but, rather, to support it.”

“However, I also have to stress that the most systematic sharing of information between EU member states is an absolute necessity in combating terrorism.”

On this point, the committee chairman, French ALDE deputy Jean-Marie Cavada, said that “everything depends on member states and their willingness to share information. Unfortunately, some are less keen on doing this than others.”

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