Defending Democracy, Protecting Civil Liberties

• The new European Arrest Warrant was used to bring a suspect in the 21/7 London bombings back from Italy to the UK. The process took weeks, rather than the months and years it used to take. 
• New Euro data retention laws will give authorities access to the date and time but not content of a phone call or email with the approval of a court of law. Labour MEPs fought hard to strike a fair balance between protecting civil liberties and the need to combat serious crime. 
• New Euro rules on financial transactions make money laundering and fraud for terrorist purposes much more difficult.
• The UK EU Presidency in 2005 promoted better integration of ethnic and religious communities as one way of preventing violent radicalisation among a tiny minority.

Gary Titley MEP says “It's impossible for countries to tackle terrorism alone. The new European Arrest Warrant let the British police bring a London bombing suspect back from Italy for questioning in the UK. It is this type of sensible co-operation that the EU can bring about. Working together, we become stronger and more secure.”

Please see our information sheet "Tackling Terrorism, Cross Border Crime and Violent Radicalistation" for further information.

Security in Migration and Travel

• A new code for people crossing EU borders was brought into force by Labour MEPs. The code gives them the right of appeal if they have been refused entry to a country and ensures that border checks respect human dignity and EU laws on non-discrimination.
• Labour MEPs introduced a short-term residence permit for victims of people trafficking who are willing to co-operate with the authorities.
• Labour MEPs recommended a uniform format for biometric information in EU passports to make travel documents secure and less vulnerable to forgery.
• Labour MEPs enshrined the principle of family reunification in EU law and ensured this right extends to non-EU citizens living in the European Union.
• Labour MEPs have improved EU policy on integration of immigrants with two key reports on integrating new migrants into the labour market and policies on citizenship and inclusion.
• Labour MEPs have been instrumental in bringing new countries into the EU – opening our markets and securing wider stability across Europe.

Please see our information sheet "Managing Migration, Border Control and the Positive Impact of Immigration" for further information.

The European Coal and Steel Community, created in 1952, was the first European institution. It was believed that interdependence would bind past enemies through their mutual need to secure future energy supplies. The success of this project has become the European Union, and the challenge to meet the increasing energy demands of today bring us full circle. Energy policy has always been a priority for the EU, but now access to affordable energy has become key to our future security.