The regional answers and governance structure for dealing with foreign fighters: The case of the EU

Abstract

The EU had already started to address the foreign fighter threat as early as January 2013, after the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator had raised the alarm bells, the EU’s approach having been the blueprint for UN Security Council Resolution 2178. The EU is mobilising a whole range of policies. Following the terrorist attacks in Paris in early 2015, EU leaders set out an ambitious agenda based on a comprehensive strategic vision with three pillars: ensuring the security of citizens, preventing radicalisation and safeguarding values and cooperating with international partners. Work is ongoing in different Council formations (in particular Interior, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Education, General Affairs) to operationalise the various measures. In June 2015, Interior Ministers decided to prioritise strengthening the Schengen Framework, to create an internet referral unit at Europol, and to improve information exchange and strengthen the work related to firearms. On the criminal justice side, rehabilitation in the judicial context is urgent. Internationally, assisting Tunisia is a top priority since the recent attacks in Tunis, along with mobilising further capacity building assistance for the region and addressing the situation in Libya. Allocation of resources and strategic decisions are necessary to achieve the ambitious goals.