{"id":185180,"date":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T21:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=185180"},"modified":"2019-03-11T21:51:22","modified_gmt":"2019-03-11T21:51:22","slug":"auto-insert-185180","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-185180\/","title":{"rendered":"International situation – Conclusions, Plan of Action of Extraordinary EU Council – Letter from Belgium"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Identical letters dated 25 September 2001 from the Permanent Representative<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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of Belgium to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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and the President of the Security Council<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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\t<\/span>I have the honour to transmit the text of the conclusions and plan of action of the extraordinary European Council of 21 September 2001 (see annex).<\/p><\/div>\n

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\t<\/span>I should be grateful if you would have this letter and its annex circulated as a document of the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 166, and of the Security Council.<\/p><\/div>\n

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(Signed<\/i>) Jean De Ruyt<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Belgium<\/p><\/div>\n

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to the United Nations<\/p><\/div>\n

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Annex to the identical letters dated 25 September 2001 from the Permanent Representative<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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of Belgium to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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and the President of the Security Council<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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[Original: English, French and Spanish]<\/p><\/div>\n

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CONCLUSIONS AND PLAN OF ACTION OF THE<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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EXTRAORDINARY EUROPEAN COUNCIL MEETING ON 21 SEPTEMBER 2001<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The European Council met in extraordinary session on 21 September 2001 in order to analyse the international situation following the terrorist attacks in the United States and to impart the necessary impetus to the actions of the European Union.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Terrorism is a real challenge to the world and to Europe. The European Council has decided that the fight against terrorism will, more than ever, be a priority objective of the European Union.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Moreover, the European Union categorically rejects any equation of groups of fanatical terrorists with the Arab and Muslim world.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The European Council reaffirms its firm determination to act in concert in all circumstances.<\/p><\/div>\n

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1.<\/strong>\t<\/span>SOLIDARITY AND COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The European Council is totally supportive of the American people in the face of the deadly terrorist attacks.  These attacks are an assault on our open, democratic, tolerant and multicultural societies.  They are a challenge to the conscience of each human being.  The European Union will cooperate with the United States in bringing to justice and punishing the perpetrators, sponsors and accomplices of such barbaric acts.  On the basis of Security Council Resolution 1368, a riposte by the US is legitimate.  The Member States of the Union are prepared to undertake such actions, each according to its means. The actions must be targeted and may also be directed against States abetting, supporting or harbouring terrorists. They will require close cooperation with all the Member States of the European Union.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Furthermore, the European Union calls for the broadest possible global coalition against terrorism, under United Nations aegis. In addition to the European Union and the United States, that coalition should include at least the candidate countries, the Russian Federation, our Arab and Muslim partners and any other country ready to defend our common values. The European Union will step up its action against terrorism through a coordinated and inter-disciplinary approach embracing all Union policies. It will ensure that that approach is reconciled with respect for the fundamental freedoms which form the basis of our civilisation.<\/p><\/div>\n

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2.\t<\/span>THE EUROPEAN POLICY TO COMBAT TERRORISM<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The European Council approves the following plan of action:<\/p><\/div>\n

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  • \t<\/span>Enhancing police and judicial cooperation<\/strong><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    1.\t<\/span>In line with its conclusions at Tampere, the European Council signifies its agreement to the introduction of a European arrest warrant and the adoption of a common definition of terrorism.  The warrant will supplant the current system of extradition between Member States.  Extradition procedures do not at present reflect the level of integration and confidence between Member States of the European Union.  Accordingly, the European arrest warrant will allow wanted persons to be handed over directly from one judicial authority to another .  In parallel, fundamental rights and freedoms will be guaranteed.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    The European Council directs the Justice and Home Affairs Council to flesh out that agreement and to determine the relevant arrangements, as a matter of urgency and at the latest at its meeting on 6 and 7 December 2001.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    In addition, the European Council instructs the Justice and Home Affairs Council to implement as quickly as possible the entire package of measures decided on at the European Council meeting in Tampere.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    2.\t<\/span>The European Council calls upon the Justice and Home Affairs Council to undertake identification of presumed terrorists in Europe and of organisations supporting them in order to draw up a common list of terrorist organisations.  In this connection improved cooperation and exchange of information between all intelligence services of the Union will be required.  Joint investigation teams will be set up to that end.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    3.\t<\/span>Member States will share with Europol, systematically and without delay, all useful data regarding terrorism.  A specialist anti-terrorist team will be set up within Europol as soon as possible and will cooperate closely with its US counterparts.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    The European Council trusts that a cooperation agreement will be concluded between Europol and the relevant US authorities by the end of the year.<\/p><\/div>\n

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