Radical Islamic terrorism is a threat to the world and Europe, Spanish Interior Minister Angel Acebes claimed today at the start of talks between five Europeancountries dubbed a "war-council" on terrorism.
"No democracy in the world can feel it is safe from radical Islamic terrorism," Acebes said at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy.
"And in Europe we have already detected the presence of this type of terrorism based on cells cooperating within European territory. We must therefore step up our security measures, protection and collaboration," he said.
No particular decisions or declarations are expected from the meeting, but it comes amid a wave of deadly attacks in Morocco and Saudi Arabia which have left nearly 80 dead in less than a week.
The meeting in the southern Spanish town of Jerez has gathered the interior ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
"The five of us are meeting to discuss common problems, mainly in the fight against terrorism and illegal immigration," Acbes added.
Sarkozy said: "Some European countries have been targetted inthe past. And what is true for the past can be true in the futureand I think we should not give the impression that we are takingthis threat lightly.
"If all five of us are meeting, it is because we are aware thatthe fight against terrorism is a fight which still has to carriedout in the future. We therefore have to be extremely vigilant."
The two also held bilateral talks on the separatist Basquemovement ETA, which has waged an armed campaign in Spain for anindependant homeland, with its members often seeking refuge acrossthe border in France.
"We have common problems, we have urgent problems and concernsthat we all share, and that's why such cooperation isindispensable," Acebes added.
AFP