VALENTINA POP
Belgian authorities on Wednesday (7 January) said they
will step up security at EU summits after being embarrassed by
Greenpeace activists who breached the system in December to stage a
surprise protest.
"From now on, there will be two ways in: One for heads of government
and another for the rest of their delegations," said Belgian interior
ministry spokeswoman Margaux Donckier, according to AFP.
She
added that the breach had highlighted "a system that has not evolved at
the same rate as the [enlarged] EU and in which protocol was given
priority over security."
Eleven Greenpeace activists carrying false VIP accreditations were
arrested in December after jumping out of three limousines to the
astonishment of waiting leaders, including British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown.
One of them unfolded a banner reading "EU save Copenhagen" in
reference to the global climate change summit which was ongoing in the
Danish capital.
Other Greenpeace activists managed to repeat the stunt one week
later in Copenhagen, at a gala dinner hosted by the Danish queen. They
were held under arrest for 20 days, causing a heated debate in Denmark
as to whether the punishment was too harsh.
A report into the Brussels events published by the Belgian interior
ministry blamed "a certain routine" of security officials and a policy
that was outdated.
"Global action plans" will from now on be drafted for each
high-level meeting, strengthening co-operation between police, the
security staff of the building hosting the event and the bodyguards of
the various delegations.
Restrictions will be placed on the size of the national delegations,
the report adds, in reference to some leaders who like to travel with
dozens of aides and ministers when joining EU summits.
The first meeting under the new rules will take place on 11
February, when the 27 leaders are set to discuss a new 10-year economic
strategy for the bloc. A regular "spring council" is scheduled for
25-26 March.
From July on, when Belgium takes over the rotating presidency of the
EU, currently held by Spain, Brussels will also host more meetings with
foreign leaders, increasing pressure on security arrangements.
Source: http://euobserver.com/9/29220
