The discussion was a follow up to the debate with General Nistri that Members held during the TERR mission to Rome and Catania in July. General Nistri presented to the Committee the structure and activities of the Carabinieri in the fight against terrorism. Members discussed the cooperation in this field on a European level; one of the specific aspects included exchange of information.

A high-level group of members of the Special Committee on Terrorism met on Thursday, 12 July with Mr Marc Van Peel, Deputy Mayor in charge of the port, Paul Wauters, harbour captain at the Antwerp Port Authority, safety consultants of the port and representatives of the Antwerp Judicial Police, Navigation department and Navigation Police.

The aim of the visit was to gather information about the security measures in place to protect the port infrastructure in case of a terrorist attack. The high-level group of five MEPs was briefed on the security measures of the port and was presented several operations illustrating the security cooperation and controls in this field.

The delegation was composed of the Chair, Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE, FR), co-rapporteur, Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE), shadow rapporteur, Caterina Chinnici (S&D, IT), as well as Gérard Deprez (ALDE, BE) and Kristina Winberg (ECR, SE).

The Committee meeting started with an 'in camera' exchange of views with Mr Gilles De Kerchove, Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. Members also listened to Mr Philippe Pradal, Deputy Major of Nice, on the security of public spaces. Mr Javed Patel, UK Deputy Director of the Counter Terrorism and Extremism Network, Europe presented the new UK CT Strategy "CONTEST".