The European Union and the United Kingdom have met at the second Counter Terrorism Dialogue in London. The representatives from the UK and EU discussed strategic policies towards countering terrorism and a range of issues linked to the identification of travellers of ‘counter-terrorism concern’, not to mention technology (encompassing) comebacks to terrorist content online and myriad arising technologies.
The inaugural UK-EU Counter-Terrorism Dialogue took place in Brussels on February 2, 2024. It was focused on issues like terrorist content online and terrorism financing. Future dialogues were also planned to continue this collaboration.
The two parties also examined a range of counter-terrorism issues, including reviews of the evolving terrorist threat landscape, and a swap of best practice on the UK and EU response.
Delegates welcomed the productive conversations and agreed to continue these critical exchanges. Both sides stressed the strategic significance of the unique connection between both in managing these challenges.
Both parties also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continue to boost co-operation on counter-terrorism. The whole discussion was in line with shared values and the understanding between PM Sir Keir Starmer and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen designed to bolster the relationship between the UK and the EU.
The UK delegation was headed by Chloe Squires, Director General for homeland security, and Jonathan Emmett, Director of counter-terrorism and homeland security strategy at the Home Office. They were also accompanied by officials from the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The European Union side was led by Maciej Stadejek, deputy managing director for security and defence policy, of the European External Action Service (EEAS). He was accompanied by representatives from the European Commission, including the head of internal security from the directorate general for migration and home affairs, Floriana Sipala, and the European Union counter-terrorism coordinator, Bartjan Wegter.
