EU supports counter strike against terrorism based on UN resolution

An emergency summit of the European Council was held in Brussels on Friday, September 21 at the invitation of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union. Finland was represented by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen and Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja.

The EU Summit gave its support to a possible counter strike by the United Statesr because of the terror attacks on Friday, September 21. The EU stated that on the basis of the UN resolution 1368, a riposte by the United States is legitimate. The member states of the Union are prepared to undertake such actions, each according to its means.According to the EU these actions must be targeted and they may also be targeted against states abetting,supporting or harbouring terrorists. However, they will require cooperation with all the member states of the European Union.

Furthermore, the European Union called for the broadest global coalition against terrorism, under the aegis of the United Nations. In addition to the EU and the United States, that coalition should include at least the candidate countries, the Russian Federation, Arab and Muslim partners and any other country ready to defend our common values.

The leaders of the EU countries stepped up the implementation of the conclusions taken by the Tampere Summit. This Summit in 1999 determined the basis for the common justice area based on freedom and security. The leaders agreed now on the intensification of police and judicial cooperation and on the introduction of a European arrest warrant, as well on the adoption of a common definition of terrorism.
The EU also agreed on enhancing flight security.

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen emphasized in a radio interview on Saturday, September 22 that according to the Council conclusions, each member country will contribute to combatting terrorism according to its capabilities and possibilities, but the European Union is not a military alliance.
President Halonen also saw in combatting terrorism a good opportunity for bringing Russia and the West closer to each other. She was also hopeful of promoting the peace process in the Middle East.
“If we can unite all international agents in helping Palestinians and Israelis to a negotiating table or to the beginning of a process, it would make a very visible objection to terrorism”, Halonen said.

In Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja´s opinion, enhancing police and judicial cooperation within the EU is the most important aspect of combatting terrorism from a Union point of view. “This terrible situation must be utilized for strengthening international law so that we can create a world where this sort of attacks would not be possible – and if such attacks occur, the offenders are brought to justice according to judicial procedures”, Tuomioja said in a TV interview on Saturday, September 22.

According to Tuomioja, cold war time policies can be recognized behind terrorism. “A policy prepared to support violent acts as if promoting one´s own good cause, has led to this kind of situation. There is need for stocktaking on both sides ”, Tuomioja said.

European Council: Conclusions and plans of action 21.9 (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)
















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