On 4 February 2025, the second EU-UK Counter-Terrorism Dialogue took place in London, bringing together officials from the UK and the European Union. This dialogue was established under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and aimed to strengthen collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
Key Discussions During the Dialogue
During the meeting, both the UK and the EU discussed a wide range of counter-terrorism topics. These included:
- Assessing evolving terrorist threats in both regions.
- Sharing best practices on how to counter terrorism.
- Strengthening cooperation with third countries through multilateral efforts.
- Discussing strategies to identify travellers of Counter-Terrorism concern.
- The role of technology in countering terrorism, especially in dealing with terrorist content online and emerging technologies.
Both sides expressed their commitment to improving security measures and cooperation, ensuring a safer environment for their citizens.
Reaffirming Cooperation
The UK and the EU reaffirmed the importance of their strategic relationship in tackling terrorism. They agreed to continue strengthening their cooperation, which is guided by their shared values. Both sides underlined their mutual commitment to implementing the agreement made between the European Commission President and the UK Prime Minister to enhance their partnership.
Key Participants in the Dialogue
The UK delegation was led by Chloe Squires, Director General for Homeland Security, and Jonathan Emmett, Director of Counter-Terrorism & Homeland Security Strategy at the Home Office. They were joined by officials from the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
On the EU side, the Dialogue was chaired by Maciej Stadejek, Deputy Managing Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service (EEAS). Other key EU representatives included Floriana Sipala, Director of Internal Security at the European Commission and Bartjan Wegter, the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.
Looking Ahead: Future Dialogues
Both sides agreed that the discussions were productive and decided to continue this crucial dialogue. The next Counter-Terrorism Dialogue will be held in Brussels, marking another important step in EU-UK cooperation.
The EU-UK Counter-Terrorism Dialogue is an essential platform for both regions to collaborate and tackle the growing terrorist threat. By sharing information, best practices, and coordinating responses to emerging threats, the UK and EU are committed to ensuring the safety of their citizens. These discussions are vital for strengthening the relationship between both sides in the fight against terrorism.
