ABSTRACT

For the last ten years the European Union (hereinafter EU) has considered terrorism as a threat to democracy, to the free exercise of human rights and to economic and social development.2 It has therefore adopted numerous specifi c measures having an impact on terrorism and played its full part in the global coalition against terrorism, under the aegis of the United Nations. After the attack on the Twins Towers in 2001, the European Council declared that terrorism is a real challenge to the world and to Europe and that the struggle against terrorism has become a priority for the EU. In addition, the Council of the EU reaffi rmed the determination of the EU to increase actions for the prevention and suppression of terrorism under the aegis of the United Nations Security Council.3