EU calls for more engagement with Arab Gulf states on counter terrorism

BRUSSELS, March 22 (KUNA) -- The European Union's top anti-terror chief Wednesday called for more cooperation and engagement with the Arab Gulf states on counter-terrorism and counter radicalisation.
"We have to engage more with the Gulf. We have several level of cooperation with the Gulf countries. One is countering terrorism financing. We have seen progress. We have every year interesting discussions," said Gilles de Kerchove EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.
He was speaking at an event to launch a book titled "One year after the Brussels attacks: The challenges of jihadist radicalisation in Europe and beyond," organised by the think tank European Policy Centre in Brussels this evening.
In reply to a question by the Kuwait news agency, KUNA, on the engagement with the Gulf countries, De Kerchove said "I have been myself to several Gulf countries, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia." "The last meeting in Saudi Arabia was very interesting. Saudi Arabia has started the process of restructuring the economy the vision of 2030 to be less dependent on oil. It is an interesting process. This process will have an impact on civil society as well" he said.
"They asked for our support. EU High Representative Federica Mogherini is ready to help the Saudi government in this delicate process.
"It has to be stated that Saudi Arabia is part of the international counter-IS alliance and they share a lot of intelligence with us," he added.
On the use of terms like "Islamic terrorism" by some Western leaders and the western media, he said "when we use the term Islamic terrorism our Arab friends get mad. They say you cannot equate Islam with terrorism." "It's an offensive way to capture their attention. So we have to be cautious," he said.
Speaking at the same event, Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said the Belgian government is doing everything to put an end to the cancer of violent radicalisation.
He said since the Paris and Brussels terror attacks Belgium has taken 30 measures to counter radicalisation and terrorism including increase of budget for police and security forces, action plan against network of terrorists and dangerous criminals and cancellation of ID cards and passports of foreign fighters, etc.
The Belgian minister said since one year police have launched raids in the Brussels district of Molenbeek, considered to be a breeding ground for terrorism, every three days.
Commenting on Belgian press reports that the Islamic Centre in Brussels is responsible for spreading radicalism in Belgium, Jambon said Belgian security services are currently investigating this matter.
"We have to regain the hearts and minds of these youngsters who are on their way to radicalisation. But this requires patience. The IS has turned into a strong marketing machine that tries to draw vulnerable youth into its net," he warned.
"We have to present them a counter narrative and counter offer, which is our values and our standards," added Jambon. (end) nk.ibi