Interview with Gilles de Kerchove European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

Gilles de Kerchove was appointed European Union (EU) Counter-Terrorism Coordinator (EU CTC) on 19 September 2007. In this function, he coordinates the work of the EU in the field of counterterrorism (CT), maintains an overview of all the instruments at the Union's disposal, closely monitors the implementation of the EU CT strategy and fosters better communication between the EU and third countries to ensure that the Union plays an active role in the fight against terrorism. He was previously Director for Justice and Home Affairs at the EU Council General Secretariat (1995-2007) and Deputy Secretary of the Convention which drafted the Charter of fundamental rights of the EU (1999-2000). Before that he was Head of the Private Office of the Deputy Prime-Minister of the Federal Government of Belgium, Minister of Justice and Minister of Economic Affairs (1993-1995) and Head of the Private Office of the Deputy Prime-Minister of the Federal Government of Belgium, Minister of Justice and Minister of SMEs (1989-1992). Mr de Kerchove is a Professor of European Law at the Universite Catholique de Louvain, at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles and at the Universite Saint Louis-Bruxelles. He has published a number of books and numerous articles on European law, human rights, security and CT.