OPINION

Cautious measures

It is very encouraging that ministers from the 25 European Union member states did not feverishly rush to approve the immediate implementation of stricter anti-terrorism measures at a summit in Brussels earlier this week, in spite of the widespread feeling of anxiety and concern following the recent bomb attacks in London. The ministers did agree to approve the implementation of tough new laws by the end of the year, but several countries – including Greece – expressed certain reservations. Naturally, all ministers expressed their solidarity with the British people and backed the thinking behind the proposal by the British government, which currently holds the European Union presidency. But it was agreed that the parameters of the proposed measures, and the repercussions of their implementation, should be examined in further detail. The year-end «deadline» should give the various European Union member states plenty of time to assess and consider the proposed action, assuming no other terrorist attacks intervene… It is not yet clear whether the action plan will be submitted to the European Parliament for approval. This would help encourage a healthy exchange of opinions about the advantages of the plan – heightened security – as opposed to its likely disadvantages, notably the restriction of individual freedoms…

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