Speech from Mr Hans-Gert Poettering,
Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
in the European Parliament,
on Wednesday, 7 September 2005

Council and Commission Statements on Liberty and Security





President , President in office, Commissioner, Colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen,

Following the despicable terrorist acts which took place in London on the 7th of July 2005, we are faced once again a treat to our western democracy. On behalf of the EPP-ED, turning to you minister in office on behave of the British presidency, I would like to express our great compassion and solidarity with the victims.

We were deeply struck by the way in which the people of London reacted to this terrorist attack. The enormous sense of composure which permeated their attitude and this provides us guarantees of things that terrorists will fail in their aim to destroy the foundations of western democracy. So our recognition has gone to the people for their reaction. The terrorist attacks in London follow these in New York, Madrid, Istanbul, Bali, Casablanca, Beslan - 12 months ago - and of course other terrorist attacks. When we speak today, we must make it abundantly clear that we refuse to let up in our fight again terrorism, that we intend to do everything in the most decisive way to fight this curse. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States have recently taken great strides towards a joint and common approach towards the fight against terrorism. What makes it problematic however is that many of the individual measures have not yet been implemented and incorporated into national law. More over certain member states have failed implement them within the deadlines we must redouble our efforts to implement the laws to fight terrorists.

Back in 2001, the European Parliament defined the role of the EU in the fight against terrorism. On the 7th of July 2004 we adopted a comprehensive package comprising 8 rapports on the question the fight against terrorism. We are abundantly aware, and this was further emphasised in the speeches of both the Commissioner and the Minister, that in the fight against both external and domestic terrorism Europe can only hope to prevail by working together. This requires intensive cooperation between member states, but above all it requires decisive action on the part of the European Unions Institutions.

In our fight against terrorism we must use all tools available to us within our legal systems. No more and no less. Our fight against terrorism can only be successful if we succeed in fully respecting the rule of law, both national and international in this fight. However we also have to insure that terrorists can not benefit from any areas or countries where the law is not applied. In the past the EU has shown outstanding success in guarantying a high level of prosperity for its people. In the post war period the creation of the European Union guaranteed this.

The EU, by acting together, now has the duty of guarantying greater security for its citizens. I'm confident that the British presidency working together with the Commission will take further great strides towards underpinning de security of our people in the fight against terrorism and in the fight against serious and organised crime.

I would have a further reflection which is that all to often those responsible for terrorism find religious reasons for doing this.

However I think these religious reasons represent the opposite to Islam. In recent months and years I visited several Islam countries and I can assure you that people in those countries detest as much as we do the idea of a clash of civilisations.

I think we should refuse to accept the idea that there is promoting this terrorism can be equated with normal peace loving Muslims.

We are now faced with a common responsibility which is to take practical steps. My colleague Manual Oreja, Mrs Klamt the coordinator as well as Mr Kirkhope who will be coming to me afterwards. But I think it is important that we go beyond the restatements now. We have to move towards concerted actions. We have to call the Council and the Commission to do everything necessary.

I would like to make it clear that we should be willing to enter into dialogue with anybody who promotes peaceful dialogue. However those who wish to fight with violent means, must be the focus of our united determination in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

Thank you President.