More than 6,000 Europeans in Syrian battlefield

The number of Europeans fighting for ISIL in Syria could be higher than 6,000, said European Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourová

-At the European level, we assume that between 5,000 and 6,000 individuals have gone to Syria, Jourová told the French daily "Le Figaro", adding that this number is likely much higher due to the difficulties in tracking foreign fighters in the conflict.

According to her, regarding the terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, a decision was made not to allow fear to overcome other feelings.

Jourová emphasized that the EU wants to work on improving the prevention of departures to Syria or Iraq and, besides religion, to find other reasons why people decide to join jihadists.

She stressed that British research organizations have identified "a desire for adventure, boredom, dissatisfaction with their life situation, and lack of opportunities" as some of the reasons why individuals leave their families and go to Syria.

-Attention should also be focused on accelerating the exchange of information between the police forces and judicial systems of the member states, Jourová stated, adding that greater intelligence sharing is also necessary.