Fight against terrorism is Europe's greatest challenge says local MEP, Charles Tannock 02/04/04

There must be far more co-operation between Europe and other nations in the fight against terrorism, after the arrest of several people in London on anti-terrorism offences.

Speaking in the debate on terrorism, Charles Tannock MEP, Conservative Spokesman on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament, said that terrorism is the greatest threat facing Europe.

Mr Tannock said:

"The fight against international terrorism is Europe's greatest challenge. Just yesterday, in London, British Police arrested 8 British citizens with half a ton of bomb making material.

We need stronger measures to combat this.

There must be better co-operation between law enforcement, judicial and intelligence agencies not just within the EU but globally with allies such as the USA but with Russia and China who have their own domestic Islamist problem in Chechen and Uighur Terrorists connected to Al Quaeda.

We need strict enforcement of anti-moneylaudering legislation, and on the freezing of terrorist assets and the ratifying of the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters concerning the monitoring of bank accounts."

ENDS.