Brussels, 21/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Minister of State for European Affairs of the Land of Bavaria, Reinhold Bocklet, welcomed the recent Commission proposals on the European arrest warrant and the harmonisation of the fight against terrorism (see EUROPE of 19 September, p.8), but warned against the "well known tendency" to want to push problems away "towards levels of power for which we are not responsible". Mr Bocklet considers that, even if Europe has undeniably an important role in the coordination of the fight against terrorism, it is always the Member States that should bear the main responsibility in this field. "We have to note that, above all, it is the responsibility of Member States themselves that is at stake. They are the ones that must take national measures necessary to effectively fight terrorism", said Mr Bocklet on Thursday in Brussels, speaking before journalists. "The European Union", he continued, "should act where the problem cannot be resolved at national level". The Minister of State for Bavaria cited Europol as an example of "indispensable" European cooperation. "The coordination and information services exercised by Europol are indispensable. Unfortunately, at the practical level, some Member States are still far too reticent to communicate information they have to it. In the age of the Internet, this exchange of information is vital", insisted Mr Bocklet.
The Minister of State also took a stance against (temporary) suspension of the Schengen Agreement to better control migratory movements. Accompanying measures applied since the Schengen Agreement came into effect (strengthening of external border controls, strengthened police cooperation, bringing the visa system under Community competence, an increase in mobile controls, etc.) are working very well and are "extremely effective instruments" in the fight against international crime, he said..