Radicalisation and De-radicalisation in the European Union

The terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels in 2015-2016 marked a turning point. They challenged the European Union’s (EU) Area of Freedom, Security and Justice and showed the consequences of continued political and institutional divisions. After the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, the Heads of State or Government of the EU member states decided to set new guidelines for the fight against terrorism. A new emphasis was placed on preventing radicalisation. Moreover, the European Commission released the updated European Agenda on Security for the period 2015-2020 (European Commission, 2015). The document acknowledges that the EU member states are the leading actors in guaranteeing security, but argues that the EU can bring considerable added value to the security activities of the Member States. Recent events have shown that national responses are by nature limited and insufficient. Against that backdrop, three priority areas are identified, including terrorism and radicalisation, alongside cybercrime and organised crime. The European Agenda on Security argues that operational cooperation and information exchange need to be strengthened in order to address these three key threats.