By Lena Unbehauen - 19th September 2006
Berlin is set to make tackling the threat of terrorism a key issue of Germany's forthcoming EU presidency in January.
German deputy interior minister Peter Altmaier said during a security conference on Tuesday that the EU needed tighter control over the internet and improved cooperation between Europol and national agencies.
"We have to use all possible synergies in the fight against terror. In a world that is ever more interconnected…terrorist groups can only be fought through the common endeavours of many countries," said Altmaier.
"Internal and external security will be a key issue during Germany’s EU presidency."
Altmaier also warned that there should not be a “globalisation bonus given to terrorists.”
Germany’s previous reluctance to approve stronger internal police and security powers has been tempered by the discovery of a terrorist plot in July.
A bomb attack at a German railway station was foiled due in part to close cooperation with Lebanese intelligence services.
The German government is also ruminating over a proposal on its so-called anti-terror-file that would enable data transfers between state and sub-state level.
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