EU urges broad alliance against terrorism

MEPs paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris in Plenary Session
[PHOTO: European Union 2015] 

| RFE/RL

Brussels: The European Union's foreign policy chief has called for a broad counter-terrorism alliance that would include Muslim countries in the wake of Islamist militant attacks in France.

Federica Mogherini made the proposal on January 19 ahead of talks with EU foreign ministers in Brussels that were to be attended by the Arab League’s secretary-general.

European Parliament - Plenary Session in a minute: January 2015 from European Parliament 

She said there had to be more cooperation both with Muslim nations and internally within the EU.

The January 7-9 attacks by Islamist militants in Paris and last week's raids on suspected Islamists in Western Europe have raised fears about the potential threat from European citizens returning from wars the battlefields in Syria and Iraq. 

Badly strained relations with Russia are also on the agenda for the talks, which are meant in part as preparation for an EU summit in February.

Copyright (c) 2015. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.