Italy blocked EU plans for a European arrest
warrant at a meeting of interior and justice ministers on 6
December. Italy disagrees with a set of over 30 measures that
would strengthen the Union’s ability to fight terrorism and
organised crime.
All Member States except Italy agreed that the European
arrest warrant should cover a list of 32 serious
cross-border crimes. However, the Italian Justice Minister,
Roberto Castelli, insisted that fast-track extradition
procedures should only apply to a smaller list of six
crimes.
The Member States have reached an
agreement on a common definition of terrorism. Eight of the
Member States currently do not have specific legislation
dealing with terrorism. All Member States agreed to a
minimum prison sentence of eight years for any form of
supporting or financing of terrorism, and 15 years for
leading a terrorist group.
The following acts are defined as
terrorism:
- intimidating of population;
- compelling governments or international organisations
to do or abstain from something, - destabilising or destroying political, social or
economic structures of countries or international
organisations.
An agreement on police co-operation
between the United States government and Europol, the EU
police office, was signed on 6 December. The agreement will
allow the EU and the US to co-operate in fight against
serious forms of international terrorism and organised
crime.