EU eert slachtoffers van terrorisme (en)
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Union will today recognise the victims of terrorism, honouring the memories of those who suffered in the biggest terrorist attack on European soil, the Madrid attack on 11 March 2004.
The terrorist bombings, which struck three packed commuter trains during the morning rush hour, left 191 dead and more than one thousand injured.
"We must continue to remember and honour those who have lost their lives in terrorist events in Europe and elsewhere in the world," EU commissioner Franco Frattini, in charge for justice and home affairs, said in a statement on Monday (10 March).
"This day should also be used to demonstrate our unwavering support for the democratic values and human rights that we share across Europe. No terrorist act can ever undermine our common belief in these rights and principles."
Between 2004 and 2006, the EU's executive body dedicated €4.8 million to numerous projects intended to help victims of terrorism and their relatives. An additional €2 million were earmarked for 2007.
The July 2005 bombings in London gave additional momentum for the EU to boost its efforts to fight terrorism.
However, EU member state cooperation in the area is still far from fluid - mainly due to a deeply ingrained dislike of sharing information on anti-terrorism activities.
As one of the first measures following the Madrid attacks, the EU created a counter-terrorism post. This was meant to bring some co-ordination between both member states' and EU institutions' activities.
Dutchman Gijs de Vries was appointed the union's first anti-terrorism tsar. He has now been replaced by the Belgian politician, Gilles de Kerchove. In practice, however, the post has very few actual powers, as well as no budget or agents in the field.
But last November, the EU moved up a gear. The European Commission announced a significant expansion into the area of member state security by tabling an extensive counter-terrorism package, which should equip the 27-nation bloc with new tools to fight extremists and militants.
The package consists of three major elements.
First, to make the dissemination of terrorist propaganda, training and financing of terrorists illegal across the EU. Secondly, to set up a European database on bombs as well as incidents involving explosives. And thirdly, to establish a European system for the exchange of passenger name records (PNR).
In addition, last month saw the commission proposing another set of measures aimed at strengthening the EU's external borders. The cornerstone of the proposals is an electronic entry/exit register, which should enable the Union to keep better track of who is entering and leaving its territory.
In the past, it has taken a long time, sometimes several years, for EU governments to strike an accord, as justice and home affairs measures require the approval of all member states. But already Brussels is preparing itself for the adoption of the EU's newest rulebook.
Known as the Lisbon Treaty, and supposed to come into force early next year, it will mean that decisions taken in the justice and interior affairs area should become easier as the right to veto by single national capitals has been removed.
Referring to victims of terrorism, Mr Frattini said: "We know that all of our efforts are never enough to offer real compensation to those whose families have been torn apart by terrorist acts."
"We can only hope that we can make a meaningful contribution, that we can offer them some assistance in their difficult situation. And we aim to honour them through our joint remembrance as we do today," he added.