All for one...

The UK is traditionally viewed with scepticism by some of its European partners when it flags its European credentials. Ironic, then, that London is truly at the heart of Europe: the heart of our thoughts in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks and at the heart of our feeling that European leaders must work together if they are to find answers to the deep concerns of those they represent.

Europe will only be able to give a clear, convincing answer to the doubts and disappointments that currently dampen public perception of the EU by identifying the real value added of the Union, now that our publics take the crowning achievement - 60 years of peace - for granted.

Part of the answer lies buried in the rubble of last week's bomb damage. All Europeans want predictable security and reliable safety, as well as a better economic future for our children.

The modern curse of terrorism is one compelling answer to the question "why Europe?". Together we are not 100 per cent safe but we are safer than we would be alone. Member states hold the prime responsibility for border security but their increasing cooperation - in information exchange, in pursuing suspects and criminals - makes us stronger. The tragic wake up call sent by the Madrid bombs has been heeded - member states have accelerated their preparation for such attacks and clamped down on terrorist financing. Even before the first explosion in London, measures were in the pipeline to intensify contacts between law enforcers, stiffen our joint controls of explosives and increase our rapid-response capability.

It is natural that the first reaction to the barbaric events of last Thursday is to look at ways of further strengthening the powers and resources of the brave security services and enforcement agencies who work tirelessly to protect us. This is important and necessary. At the same time, we must step up our efforts to address the causes of terrorism, both in our own societies and in our relations with other countries. At the level of foreign policy, the EU has a particular contribution to make.

We may never be able to eradicate terrorism completely. But, by tackling world poverty, bolstering reform in "failed" states, spreading prosperity and jobs into less developed countries, promoting good, accountable governance and bridging cultural divides, we can seek to reduce the constituency it plays to and disarm the recruiting sergeants that turn youngsters into radicals willing to destroy lives, sometimes even their own.

The work the EU, and notably the Commission, does around the world in these fields is a direct contribution to Europe's security. In Palestine, in Afghanistan and, above all, in the fragile regions of our own direct neighbourhood, the EU is working to create conditions that reduce the pulling power of the terrorists. Well-governed and prosperous people will be our best defence against the rise of violent radicalism.

The European Neighbourhood Policy offers a circle of less prosperous countries around us a share in our prosperity and promotes reforms to improve people's rights and governments' responsibilities. It builds a medium-term strategy with each country and puts the collective weight of our 25 member states behind it. Nothing short of EU membership would do more to stabilise this wide swathe of territory on our doorstep and improve the security of their people - and of ours.

After all, as the Cairo and Beirut bombings have shown, we face the same threats. We have stepped up our assistance to governments to build their counter-terrorism capacity, including funding border management programmes in a number of high priority countries from Morocco to central Asia. In their agreements with us, non-member countries sign up to action to root out terrorism and cooperate with others in preventing attacks. Yet, we emphasise at every turn, as we do within the EU, that counter-terrorism efforts cannot come at the expense of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Not only would that be counterproductive but it would also score an own goal against the values we hold dear.

We must do all we can to limit terrorist recruitment and address the reasons for increasing radicalisation and susceptibility to violent extremism. Our resources for the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean are concentrated on education, economic reform and democracy. We will also renew our efforts for peace in the Middle East, where the forthcoming Gaza disengagement must bring the parties back to the internationally-endorsed Road Map.

In the wake of the London bombs it may seem absurd to discuss the definition of terrorism, yet the lack of a commonly-accepted definition means we cannot put a comprehensive international legal framework in place. We have an excellent starting point in the definition produced by Kofi Annan's High Level Panel and a chance at the UN's September summit to agree it. The EU's leaders must show the way.

The EU manifestly cannot prevent outrages of the kind we have seen in London. Neither, sadly, can our member states. What is clear is that if we are to have a chance of defeating terrorism we have to work together. The London bombings should serve as a reminder of why we need each other - and what every citizen derives as a direct and personal benefit from the EU.

Ms Ferrero-Waldner is European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy.