BRUSSELS, Dec 6: The European Union adopted a new common definition of terrorism as well as common jail terms for acts of terrorism on Thursday in a major step towards closer cooperation by member states on justice and home affairs.

Justice ministers of the 15-member bloc agreed to amend national laws where necessary to correspond to this definition. The move is part of the EU’s broader efforts to fight terrorism following the September 11 attacks on the United States.

The EU now defines terrorism as acts committed with the aim of: seriously intimidating a population; forcing a government or international organisation to perform or abstain from performing any act; or “seriously destabilising or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organisation”.

This third category would include kidnapping, hostage taking, the seizure of aircraft or other forms of public transport, producing, acquiring or using weapons and explosives and research into biological and chemical weapons.

Ministers also agreed a definition of crimes linked to “terrorist activities”. These include extortion, falsifying documents or theft with a view to commit terrorism.—Reuters