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Mister Chair,

Let me begin by thanking you and the Committee for convening this meeting and to the briefers for their insightful presentations.

The European Union welcomes the opportunity to contribute to today’s open briefing, which focusses on enhancing the capacities of Member States in the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

The EU has recognised the global effort to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism as one of its long-term priorities. This includes supporting UN Member States through capacity building, adopting best practices and sharing lessons learned.

For the EU it is even more important to address these threats with countries that aspire to become members of the Union and have been offered a clear perspective in this regard. Working closely with these countries is not only a testament to our commitment to shared values and mutual security, but also a strategic step towards fostering a more secure and united Europe.

Mister Chair,

The Joint Action Plan for Counterterrorism in the Western Balkans (JAP) and the six bilateral Implementing Arrangements [between the EU and six Western Balkans partners], signed in 2018 and 2019 respectively, are key milestones in the EU’s counter-terrorism relationship with the region, which is focussed strongly on prevention. The recently updated Implementing Arrangements and the principal decision to review the Joint Action plan are testimonies of our continued engagement in this field for the near future.

These Arrangements identify concrete priority actions for each of our partners in the Western Balkans and are in line with their national CT and CVE strategies. In addition to being locally owned, they are ensuring the creation of solid partnerships, firmly embedded in the EU’s relations with the region, namely in the EU accession process [chapter 24 – Justice, freedom and security in particular].

The Joint Action Plan aims at not only preventing radicalisation and the rehabilitation, resocialisation and reintegration of the returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their family members, but also at addressing terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation in a comprehensive manner.

Let me highlight some examples of the EU’s long-term support to the Western Balkans region, where we are funding a wide range of bilateral and regional projects.

First, different EU agencies have built strong relationships with the Western Balkans’ Law Enforcement and Justice community. The European Counter Terrorism Centre at EUROPOL is exchanging information on terrorist groups and its Internet Referral Unit offers support to address terrorist and violent extremist content online. Through the ‘Western Balkans Partnership against Crime and Terrorism’ project, the EU agency for law enforcement training, CEPOL, provides training to police officers from the Western Balkans region on key CT topics, including countering money laundering and the financing of terrorism. These trainings are based on both practical training and information exchange as well as sharing best practices. Furthermore, EUROJUST organises workshops with Western Balkans’ and EU Member States’ prosecutors to exchange working methods regarding the prosecution of Foreign Terrorist Fighters.

Secondly, through the CT TECH Initiative, the EU is assisting UN Member States in using new technologies to counter terrorism, while also countering the misuse of these technologies by terrorist groups. Our support encompasses the development of relevant regulations and standard operating procedures. The EU offers comprehensive capacity building and shares its extensive expertise in various emerging technological fields, including the Internet and Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, or drone technology. Additionally, the EU plays a crucial role in aiding law enforcement agencies to establish capacities for the appropriate management of biometric data and facial recognition.

Thirdly, the Radicalisation Awareness Network – the RAN – has extended its activities to the Western Balkans partners. This has opened possibilities for Western Balkans policy makers and practitioners to attend field visits and workshops in the EU and to exchange experiences with their counterparts from other Western Balkans partners and EU Member States. The Radicalisation Awareness Network has also supported scientific research and organised expert counselling missions to the Western Balkans partners, contributing significantly to the development of national CT/CVE strategies and the institutional framework in the region.

Fourthly, the EU has been instrumental in building institutional capacity within the Western Balkans to address the challenges associated with the resocialisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their families from conflict zones. This assistance extends to both administrative bodies and local communities. The EU has supported various projects in the region, focusing on developing rules and instruments, enhancing specific capacities, providing direct support to returned FTFs and their families for better reintegration, and facilitating community outreach activities. These activities aim not only to mitigate the stigma associated with returnees but also to ensure a peaceful reintegration process.

Finally, the EU collaborates with the Western Balkans in protecting critical infrastructure and public spaces. This partnership includes aiding in the drafting of relevant regulations and procedures, conducting threat and risk assessments, and targeted capacity building.

These initiatives clearly demonstrate the EU’s role as a strategic partner for the Western Balkans, aiding in the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and supporting efforts that address the full spectrum of challenges posed by terrorism and violent extremism.

I thank you for your attention.