(VOVworld) – The European Commission on Wednesday adopted a series of measures to step up the fight against terrorism and the illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives.

French police. (Photo: Getty Images)

The new measures include two main elements: a proposal for a Directive on Terrorism, which will strengthen the EU's arsenal in preventing terrorist attacks by criminalizing preparatory acts such as training and travel abroad for terrorist purposes and aiding or abetting, inciting, or attempting terrorist acts; and an Action Plan to prevent criminals and terrorists from accessing and using weapons and explosives through the reinforced control of illicit imports to the EU.

During a talk in Paris the same day, French President Francois Hollande and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Masum agreed on increasing joint actions in the fight against IS.