MEPs approved a new plan to fight terrorism today that calls for the EU to have a close security partnership with the UK after it leaves the bloc.
The call was included in the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Terrorism’s final report which emphasised that it is “crucial to ensure a continuation of the mutual security cooperation and exchange of information between the EU and the UK post-Brexit”. The committee has spent the last year examining ways in which it might improve the EU's response to the recent wave of attacks across Europe and its recommendations will now be voted on by the European Parliament in December.
Geoffrey Van Orden MEP, Vice-Chairman of the committee and the only British member, said: “I welcome today’s vote that recognises Britain’s enormous expertise and capabilities in counter-terrorism. It's in the interest of the whole of Europe for the EU to ensure seamless continuity in the security relationship with Britain. "
Mr Van Orden, who is also Conservative Security and Defence Spokesman, added: “We should be under no illusion that those who wish us harm and seek to disrupt our societies are continuously plotting attacks. Only last night, as MEPs were considering this report, a gunman attacked Strasbourg’s Christmas market. It is vital that we that we continue to work together to keep our citizens safe, and not allow EU dogma to weaken our common efforts to combat terrorism.”
