The European Union ratifies the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (CETS No.196) and its Additional Protocol (CETS No.217).

The Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism aims to support and strengthen the fight against terrorism while reaffirming that all measures taken to prevent or suppress terrorist offences have to respect the rule of law and democratic values, human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Convention is also aimed at improving national counter-terrorism policies and strategies at the domestic level while also facilitating effective international co-operation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

The Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism makes a number of acts, including taking part in an association or group for the purpose of terrorism, receiving terrorist training, travelling abroad for the purposes of terrorism and financing or organising travel for this purpose, a criminal offence. The Protocol also provides for a network of 24-hour-a-day national contact points facilitating the rapid exchange of information.

Both the Convention and the Protocol will enter into force concerning the European Union on 1st of October 2018.