The recent attack on Muslims in London, the EU together. The foreign Ministers reaffirm their fight against terrorism – the dependencies of the security policy are large. From Luxembourg, Nina Niebergall.
For the British foreign Minister, Boris Johnson, there are stormy times. While in Brussels, the Brexit negotiations begin, there is in London Chaos. Still, Prime Minister Theresa May is in search of a functioning government. The fire in high-rise raises Grenfell Tower a few days ago, questions as to the cause. And last night another alleged terrorist attack shook the country, this time against Muslim citizens.
Nevertheless – or just therefore – Johnson came in on Monday to Luxembourg to meet with the foreign Ministers of the European Union. “This is the first Chance we have to talk with our European friends about the attacks in the United Kingdom”, declared the British foreign Minister on his arrival. Finally, had been killed in the attack on London Bridge and in the adjacent district around two weeks ago, especially people from other European countries. He counts: “Three Frenchmen, two poles, a Spaniard”.
The list of acts of political violence could be for the whole of Europe. Before London, before that, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Manchester, Manchester. In 2016, were killed in the EU a total of 142 people in terrorist attacks, 379 injured. According to a report by the European police authority, Europol. And this year, the Terror continues.
The recent attacks showed “how important it is to connect internal and external measures to combat terrorism,” said Federica Mogherini, the high representative outside the EU. “This is exactly what we do.” The Union relies on the cooperation of its member States, as well as to the fight against terrorism beyond the borders of the EU.
“With European friends about the attacks speak”: the British foreign Minister, Boris Johnson
Development assistance for Anti-Terror fight
So the foreign Ministers decided in Luxembourg, to support more closely with governments in the Middle East, North Africa, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa and the Western Balkans and Turkey to cooperate and Anti-terrorist measures financially. The number of regions with which the EU intends to more intensively cooperate, shows that she holds the terror issue continues to be for large. In many places, the terrorists spread out on the fertile soil of unstable States.
The currency of the foreign Minister is to make development assistance in the future, more and more security measures. Just a few days ago the European Commission created, in this respect, the facts: Of 88 million euros, the Brussels West African countries promised to be 25 million, in the exchange of information with national police authorities. The financial injection should help to combat terrorism, drug and human trafficking.
In addition, the Ministers agreed to continue to counter terrorist activities on the Internet. The target had already been at the G7 summit at the end of may.
Brexit shuffles the cards
The fight against international terrorism is one of the many points on the Agenda of EU foreign Ministers. They deal in Luxembourg, with a common defence strategy, the commitment in Iraq, as well as once more with Migration issues, which can not always be separated clearly. And the Brexit is forcing the European governments to sort out in the common Foreign and security policy.
“Terrorism connect”: EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini
Thus, the first wire runs to Washington so far, more than London. As a traditionally close Partner of the United Kingdom has access to U.S. intelligence information, which will remain in other European countries failed. Conversely, London is a member of Europol and uses in the fight against crime EU-databases. Otherwise are networked, could be attacks by terrorists, the share across countries, may be more likely prevented.
Security policy, no pressure
Although in the security policy, so both the British as well as the EU hold its own trump cards in the Hand, it was previously agreed in Brussels and London, and would not use the respective advantages in the Brexit negotiations as a means of pressure.
The British government, Theresa May have already indicated their interest in cooperation in this area continue to strengthen, said recently the EU-Commissioner Julian King. The Briton is in the Commission in Brussels for security policy. If great Britain go so in the negotiations, will include the EU, the sure, positive, he believes. A worry King, however: “Just because everyone says something is a good idea, it must be not necessarily easy.”
Federal foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said anyway, after the meeting in Luxembourg, they wanted to keep the British a door open – “because Europe without the British weaker, the British, but without us Europeans”.