EU Foreign Ministers meeting in the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg have adopted conclusions on EU external action on counter-terrorism. “The Council reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever and for whatever purpose,” a press release said.

Noting that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that the EU has a vital interest in continuing to work with partners at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels in countering this threat, the Council addressed in its conclusions:

• Counter-terrorism structures, to reinforce the EU’s capacity to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, including in EU delegations through counter-terrorism/security experts;
• Internal-external nexus, to ensure greater coherence between internal and external actions in the field of security;
• Strengthened cooperation with the Middle-East and North Africa, Western Balkans, Turkey, Sahel and the Horn of Africa, through enhanced political dialogue, more counter-terrorism projects and financial support for counter-terrorism and countering and preventing violent extremism, and reinforced strategic communications;
• Strengthened international cooperation, in particular with key strategic partners, such as the United States, Australia, Canada and the Schengen partners as well as regional and multilateral bodies, in particular the United Nations, NATO, the Global Counter-terrorism Forum, Interpol and the Global Coalition against Da’esh;
• Strengthening the EU response in key thematic areas, such as preventing and countering violent extremism, the need to effectively address online recruitment and radicalisation, the acute challenge of foreign terrorist fighters, in particular the issue of returnees, aviation security, firearms trafficking, the issue of terrorist financing and money laundering and the links between serious and organised crime and terrorism.

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Press release

Council conclusions

EU fight against terrorism (background information)