Ministers propose research into liquid explosives
A meeting of interior ministers from the current and subsequent EU Presidency countries convened in London on 16 August, and agreed to implement new research-based measures to combat terrorism. The meeting follows high-profile arrests in the UK over an alleged plot to destroy a number of commercial airliners in flight between the UK and the US. The arrests put the US and UK up to their highest ever alert status, warning of an 'imminent' attack. Concrete plans will be presented at the informal meeting of justice ministers in Tampere, Finland, between 20 and 22 September. The ministers, from the UK, Finland, France, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia agreed five concrete steps to make the skies safer. They will: - Continue research into explosives, particularly liquid explosives, identified as a threat in the most recent alleged terrorism plot. - Significantly reduce the chances of EU citizens' involvement in radical organisations and curb recruitment. The Finnish presidency will launch regular meetings to discuss the matter and research key environments such as prisons, schools and places of worship. - 'make the internet a hostile environment for terrorists'. - Review aviation security in EU airports, and raise the standards in third countries. - Anticipate the terrorists and make a full impact assessment to identify potential 'weak spots'. Research into the detection of liquid explosives has been earmarked €350,000 according to press sources, and is an area of 'particular vulnerability', according to EU justice Commissioner, Franco Frattini. He said that concrete plans for 'the detection of explosives, on the traceability of commercial detonators and particularly on liquid explosives', would emerge in the coming days. 'We came to the conclusion that a united Europe will win the battle with terrorists,' said Finnish Interior Minister Kari Rajamaki.
Countries
Finland, United Kingdom