Germany to push security during EU presidency

Berlin, Sept 19: Beefing up EU security to deal with the threat of terrorist attacks will be a key topic for Germany when it takes over the 25-nation bloc's rotating presidency in January, a senior German official said today.

Deputy Interior Minister Peter Altmaier told a conference on security and defence issues that a foiled plot last month to blow up aircraft flying out of Heathrow highlighted the need for new European wide security measures.

''Internal and external security will be a major issue during Germany's EU presidency,'' he said.

Altmaier said measures like a general ban on carrying fluids and other ordinary items on board planes would be unwise as they would only increase delays for travellers and hurt the economy.

He said an example of a good step that simplified travel while increasing the ability of authorities to track down criminals was the creation of the so-called Schengen area inside the EU, where there are no internal border posts and checks.

''When the Schengen area was created, many people worried that it would reduce our security. However, it has brought more, not less security due to the information we exchange,'' he said.

The Schengen area includes 13 of the 15 old European Union member states along with several other countries. It is unclear when the 10 new EU members will be allowed to join the area.

Altmaier did not give any details of German plans to beef up EU-wide security. Germany has been reluctant to pass measures at home that would increase the powers of police and security agencies.

However, earlier this month German federal and state security officials ended a years-long deadlock by agreeing to create a centralised database on suspected terrorists and to boost surveillance at train stations, airports and ports.

The deadlock was broken when German police discovered what they said was a failed attempt by a pair of Lebanese suspects to bomb two German trains at the end of July.

Germany will hold the rotating presidency of the EU for the first half of 2007.

REUTERS