1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
German coalition collapseDonald TrumpCOP29

Security Comes First

DW staff (kjb)September 4, 2007

Domestic security and the fight against terrorism topped the agenda at the meeting of ministers from Europe's German-speaking countries on Tuesday. Leaders agreed that closer cooperation on both issues was crucial.

https://p.dw.com/p/BbKg
A picture of a masked terrorist on a computer screen
The ministers agreed that the Internet should be taken into account as a criminal tool

"We have to realize that terrorism has arrived in Europe," Austria's Interior Minister Günther Platter said on Tuesday. He was speaking at an annual meeting with his German and Swiss counterparts and Liechtenstein's Foreign Minister Rita Kieber-Beck in Weimar.

The ministers agreed to form a joint task force to step up the fight against terrorism.

"Switzerland is not a haven for terrorist activity," said Swiss Interior Minister Christoph Blocher. He added that the Swiss banking sector, famous for its promise of confidentiality, is not trying to profit from criminal money.

Support for online police investigations

A hand grabs at a pile of euro bills
Switzerland has no room for criminal money, said the country's interior ministerImage: BilderBox

Platter expressed support at the meeting for German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble's plan to search terror suspects' computers. The controversial plan has come under fire at home, but did win the support of German Chancellor Angela Merkel from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

"There can be no place where terrorists are safe," Merkel said on Tuesday from a CDU party conference. "For that reason, we are in favor of online searches."

Blocher also emphasized the importance of combating Internet crime.

Visa-free travel for European Cup

While the ministers agreed to tighten up on security, they also discussed loosening visa restrictions. Switzerland and Liechtenstein expressed interest in joining the so-called Schengen Agreement, which allows for visa-free travel between member countries.

Blocher said that a Schengen visa would be valid in Switzerland and Austria during the 2008 European Cup in soccer, which the countries are co-hosting.

Austria emphasized that they would follow Germany's example from the 2006 soccer World Cup, which implemented international teams of law enforcement officers.

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

E-mails could transfer programs to spy out information about terrorists

Germany Wants to Use Spying Software for Private Computers

Germany Wants to Use Spying Software for Private Computers

According to two German daily newspapers, Germany's interior ministry plans police-controlled spying of private computers to combat terrorism. Keyboard movements and password entry could also be monitored. (29.08.2007)
August 29, 2007
Taliban fighters arrested on the Pakistan border to Afghanistan

Germany Worried About Increased Terrorism Threat

Germany Worried About Increased Terrorism Threat

Concerned about reports of German Islamists being trained in terrorist camps in Pakistan and an increased danger level, security officials and politicians are pushing to expand the catalogue of anti-terrorism measures. (23.07.2007)
July 23, 2007

All on Track for Euro 2008, Organizers Say

All on Track for Euro 2008, Organizers Say

Together with neighbors Switzerland, Austria will be hosting the 2008 football European Championships from June 7 to 29. The country is looking for advice from Germany, which hosted the 2006 World Cup with great success. (10.06.2007)
June 10, 2007