EU Leaders Agree On New Antiterror Measures

European Union leaders have agreed to a wide range of new steps to better protect their countries from terrorism.

The measures were endorsed at an informal EU summit in Brussels on February 12.

The EU leaders were spurred to action by last month's terror attacks in France.

Among the measures agreed include sharing airline passenger data, tougher border controls on travelers and detection and removal of Internet content that promotes terrorism or extremism.

"All citizens have the right to live free from fear, whatever their opinions or beliefs," the EU leaders declared in a joint statement. "We will safeguard our common values and protect all from violence based on ethnic or religious motivations and racism."

The January 7-9 attacks in Paris against a satirical weekly, a policewoman and a kosher grocery store claimed a total of 17 victims.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP