Brussels, 26/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission announced that it was earmarking €9 million for the "Pilot Project Fight against Terrorism". Vice-President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, said 'the actions financed under this project will enhance the European Union's capacity to effectively prevent and respond to terrorist attacks.' The project includes action in relation to critical infrastructure protection, terrorist financing, explosives and violent radicalisation. It will also assist in 'bio-preparedness by training intervention personnel and by identifying key objectives and proper measures to protect our citizens,' said Frattini in a press release. A first tranche of €7 million was decided in September 2005 in a first Decision providing the Pilot Project. As regards the actions covered by the 2006 Financing Decision, the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure protection (EPCIP) will be supported through about half of the total budget. The objective of the EPCIP will be to raise critical infrastructure capability in the EU, providing the tools necessary to improve the protection of critical infrastructures in the EU. The Commission will present a Proposal fur such an EPCIP later this year. Roughly €750,000 will be allocated for Identifying and addressing the factors contributing to violent radicalisation. The measures will aim to boost the Fight against the Financing of Terrorism (in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force - FATF), avert bio-terrorism (biopreparedness) and involving, preparing and informing the public and training and preparing intervention personnel. Some €1,300,000 € will be allocated to conducting studies and surveys in several fields. It is envisaged that this type of action will continue in 2007 with an increased budget, under the EU programme 'Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism and other Security Related Risks', with a total budget of €137.4 million for 2007- 2013. (bc)