Factbox: the European security union

(ANSA) - Brussels, April 20 - The European Commission on Wednesday presented a new roadmap for a European security union, to be assessed at a summit of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg tomorrow. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called for a security union in the wake of the March 22 Islamist terrorist attacks in Brussels that claimed 32 lives.
    "Police in one member State must share relevant information with their colleagues in other countries as a matter of reflex," EU Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said as he presented the roadmap.
    Following are its main points: FOREIGN FIGHTERS - National authorities must be fully apprised of their exit and entry movements and share that information.
    RADICALIZATION - Preventing recruitment is a priority. Member States must ensure radicalized subjects are prevented from spreading propaganda, and that they follow de-radicalization programs.
    SANCTIONS - The European Council and Parliament must swiftly agree on a new directive cracking down on terror-related offences, such as aiding and abetting through financing and logistics. The EU must slap sanctions on terrorists and their supporters.
    INTELLIGENCE SHARING - The European Council and Parliament must swiftly reform Europol and adopt EC recommendations to improve intelligence sharing, including shared access to data banks and computer systems. Europol's European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC), which was launched in January 2016, should act as the Union's intelligence hub to analyze threats and develop and coordinate counter-terror operations. WEAPONS - The European Council and Parliament must revise their directives based on European Commission recommendations, and member States must prioritize enactment of the EU plan of action to prevent access to firearms and explosives.
    TERRORIST FINANCING - The Commission will enact its plan of action against terrorist financing to help member States identify and prevent the movement of funds and other financial resources.
    INFRASTRUCTURE - The EU and member States must protect vulnerable infrastructure by improving preparation in order to face possible security risks.
    ANTI-TERROR PARTNERSHIPS - The Commission may enter into counter-terror partnerships with non-EU Mediterranean Basin countries.