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Terrorism 'biggest threat to EU' | Terrorism 'biggest threat to EU' |
(about 12 hours later) | |
Terrorism is the "biggest threat to all European nations" Home Secretary John Reid has said ahead of a security summit with five EU ministers. | |
The members of the G6, meeting in the UK, were addressed by the head of Britain's security service MI5. | The members of the G6, meeting in the UK, were addressed by the head of Britain's security service MI5. |
Mr Reid said the threat came "particularly from those who would through a perverted use of Islam constitute a terrorist threat". | Mr Reid said the threat came "particularly from those who would through a perverted use of Islam constitute a terrorist threat". |
However, he added "the enemy is terrorism, the enemy is not Islam". | However, he added "the enemy is terrorism, the enemy is not Islam". |
Interior ministers from Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland are meeting in Stratford-upon-Avon for two days. | Interior ministers from Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland are meeting in Stratford-upon-Avon for two days. |
The ministers are due to discuss international organised crime, illegal migration and how to encourage dialogue with Muslim communities. | |
Bomb attacks in Madrid in 2004 killed 191 people | Bomb attacks in Madrid in 2004 killed 191 people |
Mr Reid said every nation represented had had recent experience of terror. | |
Using the example of August's alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights, Mr Reid said greater international co-operation was vital to preventing further attacks. | |
"Each member state controls their own security services. We are all absolutely committed to common action," said Mr Reid. | |
The meeting is aimed at sharing ideas and "best practice" rather than taking concrete decisions, a spokesman said. | |
On Thursday, the ministers will discuss how to shut off illegal immigration routes and how to work with unspecified third countries to control migration flows. | On Thursday, the ministers will discuss how to shut off illegal immigration routes and how to work with unspecified third countries to control migration flows. |
Fraud and drugs | Fraud and drugs |
They will also debate how to reduce the harm caused by organised crime, including value added tax (VAT) fraud and trafficking of drugs and people. | They will also debate how to reduce the harm caused by organised crime, including value added tax (VAT) fraud and trafficking of drugs and people. |
The G6 group has no formal decision-making powers and is not an official body of the EU. | |
But agreements on cross-border co-operation can be made between the six countries - which together make up three-quarters of the EU's population - without needing EU approval. | |
The G6 group was established in 2003 - initially as G5 before Poland joined - and meets two to three times a year. | The G6 group was established in 2003 - initially as G5 before Poland joined - and meets two to three times a year. |