Combating terrorism: specific restrictive measures against certain persons and entities

Parliament by 417 votes in favour, 44 against and 18 abstentions approved a regulation which will enable Member States to block terrorist accounts and restrict financing of terrorism. The Parliament stipulated that the measures should be temporary, as the legislation was drawn up in haste and needs to be improved. The House wants the regulation to expire at the end of 2003 and to be reviewed within a year. In other amendments, Parliament stressed that as the regulation is based on article 308 of the Treaty, the Court of Justice shall have jurisdiction. Also, the annex listing 27 terrorist organisations whose assets are to be frozen should be amended and include other terrorist organisations. Parliament should be consulted, if necessary on a confidential basis, on the future changes to the list of organisations whose accounts are to be blocked. Changing the list should be according to the fast-track procedure. �