Brussels, 02/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC, Vienna) welcomes the conclusions on the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia adopted last Thursday by the Justice/Home Affairs Council (see EUROPE of 26 April, p.8). The EUMC especially welcomes the appeal the Council made to step-up co-operation with EU governments in collecting information and data, a task that the EUMC can only undertake with the help of governments and civil society, stresses Beate Winkler, the Centre's Director. "The recent clear and forthright political statements about the EU's fundamental principles re vital signals to anyone who doubts the political resolve of the EU", but, Ms. Winkler continues, "we also need to build on the many examples of good practice that EU Member States support". Recalling the provisions the EU has to tackle the causes and manifestations of racism and xenophobia, Beate Winkler notes that "the mechanisms at the European level in particular the EUMC itself, the EP and the European Commission combined with co-ordinated activities by national governments forms the basis for comprehensive action against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism".