Strasbourg -- Thursday 7th July, 2011
Today the European Parliament held a minute's silence as a mark of respect on the sixth anniversary of the 7/7 bombing in London. The occasion reminded me once more of the need for continued mutual cooperation within and outwith the EU in the fight against global terrorism.
I said this in the European Parliament today:
"The European Parliament was sitting in Strasbourg on the day of the 7/7 attacks and we all recall the stunned responses from MEPs to the news. The memory of that event must not be allowed to fade, nor must our resolve to confront and eliminate terror.
"In particular the EU is negotiating a number of counter-terrorism agreements with the USA, Australia and Canada that will help secure air passengers. The so-called Passenger Name Records agreements - which will see some data exchanged in order to identify potential threats - will be a crucial tool in our fight.
"I am also the Parliament's lead member on proposals to exchange passenger information across the EU. Experience shows us that many potential terrorists have often transited through European airports and therefore we need our own proportionate system to ensure we can track and apprehend them on European soil.
"The EU has an important role to play in facilitating cooperation and exchange of information within a secure framework which respects people's rights. We can never fully protect ourselves from the kind of outrages that we saw in London and Madrid, but we should do everything within the limits of the law to try."
