EU marks anniversary of London terror attacks

Friday July 7 2006 marks the first anniversary of terrorist bomb attacks in London as Europe gears up for a debate over new EU powers to tackle terrorism.

The bombings – which killed 52 people – came days into a UK EU presidency and prompted European electronic surveillance legislation.

European commission president José Manuel Barroso marked the anniversary by observing, with officials in Brussels, a two minute silence held across the UK.

“A terrorist attack on any part of the EU affects the EU in its entirety; as was shown by the united condemnation and response of the whole European Union,” he said.

“Preventing and combating terrorism has become one of the EU’s greatest challenges… The commission will continue to bring forward a package of initiatives to assist in the fight against terrorism.”

The EU has launched a €2m fund for projects “in favour of victims of terrorist acts”.

European justice commissioner Franco Frattini renewed his calls for a charter to set rights and to give terror victims a voice..

“Today, in this sad anniversary of London tragedy, the fate of victims shall more than ever withhold our attention aid for the victims is a crucial stake of the EU’s counter-terrorism strategy,” he said.

“I have backed the idea of a European charter recognizing the condition of victims of terrorism. This action might support such a project.”

A year on the bombings have become something of a political football for advocates of increased EU policing powers.

The commission highlights polling finding that eight out of 10 European citizens believe “that Europe can do more in this area”.

Speaking last week, Barroso hoped the anniversary would help focus minds on June 28 Brussels proposals to cut national vetoes on policing.

“I hope that we, of course, honour the victims. But not just honouring the victims, we should look, frankly, among all of us to see what we can do at European level to give more coherence to our fight against terrorism and organised crime,” he said.

In a statement, European parliament president Josep Borrell urged greater unity to fight terror.

“We must fight terrorism alongside our neighbours and partners. This struggle against international terrorism can only be won if Europe's democracies unite in common action to defeat the threat facing us,” he said.

“That is why it remains our duty to continue the fight against terrorism in all its forms. There must be no safe-haven for terrorists, in Europe and beyond.”

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