Formal extradition proceedings and other time-eating red tape would be abolished in dealing with suspected terrorists under a resolution passed by the European Parliament today.
The measure seeks to harmonise legal procedures among all 15 EU members to make it harder for a fleeing terrorist suspect to hide in an EU country outside the crime venue.
In debate on the resolution, European Justice Commissioner Mr Antonio Vitorino strongly supported the move, saying the commission would formulate new measures to be put to parliament and the European Council.
The parliamentary resolution, passed by a large majority, carries no legal weight, but calls on the commission and the 15 member EU states to take the recommended action.
Mr Vitorino said the commission would also table an initiative to standardise search and seizure warrants among the 15, as well as penal codes relating to terrorism.
"Within six months," he said, the commission would also present a "green paper" on compensation to victims of terrorism perpetrated in the EU.
AFP