The European Union (EU) contribution to the counter-terrorism campaign is being reviewed at meetings today.
Senior ministers from the 15 member states will be assessing a range of measures already agreed since September 11th.
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Minister for Public Enterprise Mrs O’Rourke
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Minister for Finance Mr McCreevy and his fellow finance ministers will be reviewing EU efforts to starve terrorists of funding, including a freeze on the assets of 27 organisations and individuals suspected of having links with the attacks on the US.
They will also be urging European MPs to speed agreement on tighter laws against money laundering.
EU rules only apply to the proceeds of drug-related crime, but there is pressure to extend legislation to oblige all member states to crack down on money laundering of the proceeds of any type of crime, including terrorism.
Minister for Public Enterprise Mrs O’Rourke and transport ministers will be endorsing commission proposals allowing limited cash support from national governments for EU airlines hit by the drastic drop in passengers after the terror attacks.
They will also back moves to improve cabin crew training against terrorism and step up checks on passengers and luggage.
Talks on an EU-wide arrest warrant to replace the current system of extradition between EU member states will also on the agenda but an agreement is not expected today.
Moves to boost international co-operation on policing and security under way include investigation teams of police and magistrates, and routine exchange of information about terrorism between the member states and Europol, the Hague-based intelligence-gathering operation recently set up by the EU.
Pledges to boost current levels of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and to maintain EU economic stability in the midst of the terror crisis will also come from the Luxembourg talks.
PA