Brussels: The EU Council has taken decisive steps to enhance its measures against terrorism by expanding the criteria for its EU Terrorist List. This decision aims to broaden the scope of restrictive measures and better target the individuals and entities involved in terrorist activities.
According to Emirates News Agency, the new criteria will enable the EU to target leading members of groups and entities already on the EU list, particularly those who play significant roles in planning, facilitating, preparing, or committing terrorist acts. Additionally, the measures will now include individuals, groups, and entities associated with those involved in terrorism, including participation in financing or involvement in training and recruitment.
The Council has also introduced a travel ban for those listed, which is in addition to the existing asset freeze and prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to them. Furthermore, the EU Council has completed its periodic review of the list of individuals, groups, and entities subject to these restrictive measures and decided to maintain the list without changes. The listed entities continue to be subject to asset freezes and a prohibition on EU operators from providing them with funds or economic resources.
In its recent conclusions on reinforcing connections in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the Council emphasized that terrorism and violent extremism remain significant threats to the security of the Union and its member states, regardless of their form or origin.