By Martin Banks - 12th February 2007
Dutchman Gijs de Vries will step down as the EU’s first anti-terrorism coordinator next month after three years in the post.
His decision not to renew his contract comes as MEPs this week vote on a parliamentary report on CIA activities in Europe.
It criticises de Vrieswho was given a hostile reception when he appeared before parliament’s temporary committee on so-called rendition flights and a Nato parliamentary assembly seminar last year.
The former deputy Dutch Interior Minister told Reuters the grilling he was given had not influenced his decision.
“This has nothing to do with the CIA parliamentary report,” he said.
Meanwhile Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford said the work of the parliament's CIA committee had been "crucial" in keeping the international spotlight on the alleged CIA torture flights and secret prisons.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Strasbourg vote Ludford warned Europe's capitals on Monday that the committee had collated solid evidence that there had been EU government collusion.
“This means European governments may be liable for grave illegality in facilitating or assisting abduction, incommunicado detention without charge or trial, and torture.”
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