Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission

10.3.2020

As the Commission pointed out in the reply to Written Question E-002517/2019, there have been joint workshops on key counter‐terrorism issues between Europol and the Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG) members.

Moreover, the CTG Presidency has been invited to Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial meetings to give an update on the cooperation between competent authorities dealing with counter-terrorism . The Commission holds no information about cooperation between the EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator and the CTG.

While national security remains the sole responsibility of each Member State, the law enforcement authorities and the security services each hold valuable information for an effective fight against terrorism. This is why the Commission has encouraged closer cooperation between the law enforcement and security services communities as stated in the reply to Written Question E-002517/2019 while respecting their respective roles and competencies.

The regular dialogue between the CTG and Europol has included exchanges of visits with the aim to build mutual knowledge. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has not made any visits to the CTG.