1st April 2016

Council urges swift implementation of PNR after Brussels attacks

Interior ministers of the EU met on 24 March, two days after the Brussels terror attacks, to show solidarity with Belgium, as well as to urge implementation of some long-awaited anti-terror measures. Since the Charlie Hebdo attacks over a year ago, the EU has been trying to pass the Passenger Name Records directive "as a matter of priority". The most recent attack should be the final impetus – the ministers agreed to pass the directive in April and have it technically usable as soon as possible. Other measures will also be accelerated – changes to the Schengen Border Code to allow for systematic checks on all entrants (including EU citizens), changes to firearms possession rules, better sharing of intelligence, better coordination via Europol and so forth. Ex ante measures, such as monitoring of signs of radicalization, will also be strengthened. Expectedly, all EU member states offered their help to Belgium concerning the investigation of the March 22 attacks at the Zaventem airport and in the Maelbeek metro station.

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Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic