After Madrid

This report examines the EU's response to international terrorism after the Madrid bombings in March 2004, including the European Council declaration and the European Commission's proposals on data exchange and intelligence sharing between law enforcement authorities; data protection issues; EU institutional structures designed to combat terrorism; the international dimension, including the role of Interpol, data transfer and passports; terrorist financing and access to financial databases. Conclusions reached by the Committee include that the EU's role in combating terrorism should remain a co-ordinating one in support of the Member States, which must retain primary responsibility, and the EU should engage with international agencies, particularly Interpol. Given the range of interests involved, effective co-ordination, and the work of the EU Counter-terrorism Co-ordinator, are crucial, and the present proliferation of EU groups and agencies needs to be reduced and streamlined. A uniform data protection regime within the EU would not only provide better data protection but would also facilitate the exchange of information.