Brussels, 14/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and the United States are pulling together to increase expertise in the fight against explosives. European and American specialists met on Tuesday and Wednesday in Peutie (Belgium) to take part in intensive specialised training to increase their expertise and knowledge on the illicit use of explosives, the European Police Office (Europol) announces in a press release. Under Belgian presidency and with the co-funding of the European Commission, Europol, the Dutch police (KLPD), the FBI and the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) shared knowledge and expertise. Europol, which is based in The Hague, created the EEODN (European Explosive Ordnance Disposal Network) in 2008. Although European experts already hold regular meetings, this is the first time such large-scale training has been organised in Europe. Various conferences were organised over the two days and Belgian special units gave a demonstration of how to neutralise a terrorist attack, with specialised explanation of procedures and equipment used. (B.C./transl.jl)