Brussels, 20/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - EU counter-terrorism coordinator Gilles de Kerchove has welcomed the measures announced on Friday by EU interior ministers (see other article) and the fast-track implementation they agreed on - some initiatives having already been discussed over several months, such as the systematic control of European nationals at the EU's external borders.
De Kerchove welcomed, inter alia, the very significant strengthening of Europol both as a link between national authorities and operationally. Europol, the EU police cooperation agency, will, from January, host a counter-terrorism centre - the aim of which will be to have member states share more information, with the member states having to send experts to form a specific unit.
Member states will also have to provide Europol with more information on journeys made by foreign fighters. At present, 50% of this information is provided by only five member states.
De Kerchove declined to comment on how closely intelligence services were currently cooperating, notably the French and Belgian services, but urged member states to improve contacts and to share more information, and even names. He also underlined the importance for member states to provide the databases with information on lost or stolen passports. A false Syrian passport was found close to at least one of the attackers of the Bataclan concert hall. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)