Balkenende roept op tot meer Europese samenwerking bij terrorismebestrijding (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The sectarian violence following the murder of a Dutch flim-maker has underlined the need for more security co-operation between member states, the Dutch prime minister has said.

Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday (17 November), Jan-Peter Balkenende said the events in the Netherlands "show that there is tension in our society" adding, "we have to learn from one another in the integration of minorities".

EU policy in the area of justice, security and freedom is of "direct social relevance", said the Prime Minister, who currently heads the EU.

His words before the EU assembly come after a spate of attacks were unleashed on both Christian and Muslim sites following the murder of film-maker Theo Van Gogh on 2 November.

Mr Van Gogh was apparently murdered by a suspected Muslim extremist in response to his film suggesting Islam promotes violence against women.

Mr Balkenende said his country is "proud of its diversity" and that it "greatly" appreciates the contribution made by people from other countries.

"They now belong with us", he said but stressed "belonging is something that has to be carefully worked at by both sides. It involves identity, standards, values and getting to know and understand one another better".

Faith should not be "misused" as a pretext for attacks on people, school, mosques or churches, said the Dutch premier.

Priority

Justice, security and freedom is set to be one of the biggest policy areas for the new Commission over the coming five years.

Earlier this month, at a summit in Brussels, EU leaders said security has acquired a new urgency, especially since the terrorist attacks in New York in 2001 and in Madrid in March of this year.

"The citizens of Europe rightly expect the EU ... to take a more effective, joint approach to cross-border problems such as illegal migration and trafficking in and smuggling of human beings, as well as to terrorism and organised crime", says the statement.

However, member states still bicker over the extent of co-operation in this area.