Today was a very timely moment to discuss the Counter Terrorism Directive, on the day of remembrance of Victims of Terrorism. Last year, too many innocent lives were lost and too many families were destroyed or heavily affected by terrorism.
I warmly welcome the progress achieved this morning on the proposal here in the Council. I hope that the European Parliament will be now as quick as the Council. There is no time to lose.
This Directive will close the gaps in the EU´s penal framework and provide for common definitions of terrorist offences, as well as criminalising a number of activities. Once in effect, the Directive will ensure a common EU response to the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters. It will help us to prevent preparation of attacks across the EU and it will sanction severely the perpetrators.
Today’s decision to strengthen our commitment in the fight against terrorism is also another small token of Europe’s solidarity for the victims and their families. In fact, the proposed Counter Terrorism Directive also lays out new rules that will ensure better protection of victims of terrorism.
Yesterday, we also discussed the Commission’s proposal to revise the Firearms Directive. I was pleased to see that Member States are willing to cut, in every way possible, the access of firearms to terrorists.
In the midst of other pressing challenges, the EU shows that it is not losing sight of its commitment to fight terrorism. Terrorism knows no borders, so the only way for us to prevent and defeat this hideous crime, is to continue working together.