There was general agreement among contributors as to issues which have already been much discussed and towards which moves have already been made, such as promotion of information exchange, security of travel documents (including biometrics), judicial co-operation, border control, transport security issues (e.g. the Container Security Initiative: see EurActiv 21 Jan 2005).
In addition, three further issues were seen as being of overriding importance:
- Prevention: the European and global community had to find ways to prevent and combat the promulgation of radical ideas that led to terrorist acts. Action must be taken to stop young muslim men in particular, be they living in the middle east or in western Europe, from joining radical groups which led to terrorist groups.
- Development aid: a crucial part of the above would be to help countries where, because of extremist regimes or conflict-bred poverty, there was little or no economic or political power available to the general population. Such conditions led to the annihilation of hope which in itself could lead to extremism.
- An EU crisis control policy: should the worst happen, the EU had to be prepared. A comprehensive crisis management policy involving civil and military structures across the EU had to be ready to deal with the aftermath of a possible terrorist attack. In addition protection programmes for the Union’s crucial transport, energy and communication systems had to be put in place.
