THE COUNCIL OFTHE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 15 and 34 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) At its extraordinary meeting on 21 September 2001, the European Council declared that terrorism is a real challenge to the world and to Europe and that the fight against terrorism will be a priority objective of the European Union.

(2) On 28 September 2001, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1373 (2001) laying out wide-ranging strategies to combat terrorism and in particular the fight against the financing of terrorism.

(3) On 8 October 2001, the Council reiterated the Union's determination to attack the sources which fund terrorism, in close cooperation with the United States.

(4) On 26 February 2001, pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1333 (2000), the Council adopted Common Position 2001/154/CFSP [OJ L 57, 27.2.2001, p. 1.] which provides inter alia for the freezing of funds of Usama bin Laden and individuals and entities associated with him. Consequently, those persons, groups and entities are not covered by this Common Position.

(5) The European Union should take additional measures in order to implement UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001).

(6) Member States have transmitted to the European Union the information necessary to implement some of those additional measures.