Terrorism

Terrorism and violent extremism constitute global threats, which transcend cultures and geographical boundaries. The phenomenon of foreign fighters traveling to unstable regions, and the threat posed to their countries of origin upon their return, in conjunction with the internationalization of the terrorist threat and violent extremism associated with the so-called Islamic State (ISIL/Da’esh) and other terrorist organizations, has prompted efforts both within European institutions and at the international level to adopt new actions and policies aimed at addressing the phenomenon more effectively. These actions include tackling online extremism, with emphasis on emerging technologies and the misuse of artificial intelligence by malicious actors; combating the financing of terrorism; prosecuting terrorists; and establishing deradicalization and social reintegration programs for foreign fighters in their countries of origin.

Priorities in the fight against international terrorism have expanded beyond suppressing the activities of terrorist organizations to encompass the prevention of terrorist threats, including prevention of radicalization and recruitment of new fighters, stemming terrorist financing flows, addressing violent extremism, and strengthening cooperation with countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

Within the framework of the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council plays a leading role. In 2001, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), it established the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), which oversees the implementation of the counter-terrorism policy.

In September 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Strategy constitutes the United Nations’ principal policy document, serving as the basis upon which specific aspects of counter-terrorism policy are developed. The text of the Strategy is reviewed every two years. It has undergone eight reviews to date (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023), while preparations are underway for its ninth consecutive review.

Under the auspices of the United Nations, the international community, continuing a process that had begun prior to the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), has adopted a series of international legal instruments to combat terrorism. These instruments set out the obligations undertaken by States in the context of counter-terrorism, cover a broad spectrum of acts characterized as terrorist, and provide the general guidelines and comprehensive policy framework for combating terrorism.

In response to emerging terrorist threats, such as the “Islamic State” (ISIL/Da’esh), the phenomenon of foreign fighters, and the financing of terrorism, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolutions 2170 and 2178 in 2014; Resolutions 2199, 2214, 2249 and 2253 in 2015; Resolution 2322 in 2016; Resolution 2396 in 2017; Resolution 2482 in 2019; and Resolution 2734 in 2024. Through these resolutions the Security Council, inter alia, invites States to cooperate in addressing these challenges. In addition, on 18.09.2025, the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) issued a comprehensive Trends Report, which was subsequently adopted, marking a significant step in documenting the threat posed by the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deepfakes for terrorist recruitment purposes.

In June 2017, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established at the level of Under-Secretary-General and has since led the Organization’s efforts in the field of counter-terrorism.

Within the framework of the European Union, the fundamental document is the European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy which was adopted in November 2005. The Strategy is structured around four key objectives, encompassing prevention, protection, persecution and response to terrorist activities.

The EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator has a coordinating role in the harmonization of national practices, as well as the overall EU counter-terrorism policy.

With regard to the international dimension of counter-terrorism, the Council Conclusions of 9 February 2015 remain a key reference point, together with the European Union’s two principal strategies, namely: (a) the Strategy for Combating the Foreign Fighter Phenomenon in Syria and Iraq, and (b) the Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the ISIL/Da’esh threat. The Council Conclusions of 12 and 16 December 2024 demonstrate the Member States’ commitment to strengthening EU action in order to adapt to emerging terrorist threats, while Council Decisions 455/2026 and 456/2026 establish the new EU sanctions framework against terrorism.

Actions undertaken by Greece

Greece has signed the international legal instruments on counter-terrorism.

Since 1991, Greece has also been a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental body whose purpose is to promote policies through recommendations aimed, inter alia, at combating the financing of terrorism.

As part of efforts to eliminate sources of terrorist financing, Greece promotes internationally the issue of combating the illicit trafficking and sale of antiquities originating from Iraq and Syria.

In the field of domestic legislation, all necessary measures are being taken to prevent the financing of terrorism. Pursuant to Law 4557/2018, the Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing and Source of Funds Investigation Authority operates as the national authority responsible, inter alia, for combating the financing of terrorism.