As published in the Malta Independent: 03/09/2014.
During a European Parliament Committee debate today on the European Union’s Internal Security Strategy, Member of the European Parliament for Malta, Roberta Metsola took the floor to underline the need for strong action on an EU level to tackle European extremists.
Addressing MEPs and European Commission representatives, Dr Metsola called for measures to be stepped up to address the phenomenon of radicalised European citizens travelling to fight with extremists in conflict areas before they try to return to spread hate and recruit more people from the EU.
“Recent events in conflict areas around the world have shown how urgent European action to tackle radicalisation and extremism is. It is very worrying and we need to act before this phenomenon spirals further out of control. A new strategy for the security of the Union must take this into consideration and build on the good steps – such as the creation of the Radicalisation Awareness Network – that have already taken place over the last years, while always ensuring that fundamental rights are respected”, said Dr Metsola.
Dr Metsola is a full Member on the Committee for Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and is the vice-coordinator of the European People’s Party (EPP) within the committee.
