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Anastasia Balezdrova

The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) will strengthen their cooperation in combating extremism. This became clear after today’s meeting between representatives operating in the field of justice and home affairs that took place in Athens within the context of the Greek EU Presidency.

Commissioner Cecilia Malmström paid particular attention to the frequent cases of radicalized citizens of European countries who then subsequently become involved in jihadist insurgent groups. "Most recently, we were all shocked by the murder of four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in broad daylight. It turned out that the attacker had recently returned from Syria," she said at the press conference. Malmström stressed that one of the measures in this direction discussed by both parties is the cooperation regarding the control of passenger lists.

Photo: AMNA

The control, however, has to be exercised by ensuring full protection of citizens and of the processing of their personal data. In this regard, Brussels and Washington are working on an "umbrella" type framework agreement that must protect personal data and strengthen the rights of EU and US citizens. US Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the talks on this matter between him and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Viviane Reding have advanced and the agreement is to be signed very soon.

In turn, Director General for Justice Francoise Le Bail said that the agreement has to become a law on both sides of the Atlantic. At the same time, she appreciated the decision of the US government to pass a law that will entitle citizens to seek protection from the US justice if their personal data have been illegally disclosed.

"We appreciate the news that the US is preparing to provide legal protection for European citizens in American courts. The EU is ready to conclude the agreement with the US, which will improve transparency and will be a clear response to the concerns of citizens, both in Europe and the US," said Greek Minister of Justice Haralambos Papathanassiou.

It became clear at the press conference that the government in Washington is considering abolishing the visa regime in the last five EU member states that are not yet included in the Visa Waiver Program, one of which is Bulgaria.

Greek Minister of Justice Haralambos Papathanassiou and US Attorney General Eric Holder during his visit to the Ministry, photo: AMNA/Pantelis Saitas

Also discussed at the meeting were the ways of cooperation and the exchange of effective practices on the management of migration flows, the fight against international organized crime, trafficking in arms, and the protection of victims of crime and people with disabilities.

The participants in the meeting paid particular attention to the crimes committed on the Internet, and especially to those that relate to sexual violence against children. Commissioner Malmström announced that the World Alliance against Sexual Exploitation of Children on the Internet, which was created last year, now involves 53 countries the representatives of which will meet in Washington in September to discuss the matter. The fact that such crimes are very common and their victims are many is proven by the apprehension of another paedophile in Greece on Tuesday.

The Greek police have disseminated the personal data and photos of Themistoklis Mavrodimos, aged 47, who is accused of child pornography. He created a Facebook profile under the name themistoklis mavrodimos but uploaded a false picture, enticing his victims through it.

Mavrodimos is prosecuted for possession of child pornography created through the exploitation and repeated violence against a minor with physical dysfunctions.