Ilkka Salmi appointed as EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

The Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union has appointed Ilkka Salmi, Master of Laws, as the European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.

The Counter-Terrorism Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the Council's work in combating terrorism, maintaining an overview of all EU counter-terrorism instruments and strengthening cooperation and dialogue on counter-terrorism initiatives between the Council, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the High Representative. He is also responsible for assisting Charles Michel, President of the European Council, on matters relating to high-level policies and procedures under his mandate. In addition, the coordinator represents the European Union in matters relating to the fight against terrorism. 

The position of the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator was established in 2004 as part of the measures set out in the declaration on combating terrorism. The EU leaders adopted the declaration following the terrorist attacks in Madrid on 11 March 2004.

Ilkka Salmi has served as Director of the Directorate for Disaster Preparedness and Prevention at the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations since 2020. Before that, Salmi has worked, among other things, as Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, Director of the Commission’s Security Directorate, Director of the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre, and Director of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service. 

Inquiries:
Ilkka Salmi, tel. +32 229 58484
Tiina Ehrnrooth, Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Interior tel. +358 50 456 4045, [email protected]