GETTY Politicians used the Brussels attacks as an 'opportunity' for the superstate

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Gianni Pitella, leader of the socialist group in the European Parliament, claimed the attack's on the Belgian capital's metro system and airport showed the need for even closer intergration of the 28 member nations of the bloc. He also called for a "European Intelligence Agency" to be set up to strengthen the EU's defences against extremists. Critics warned that his outburst laid bare the ambitions for an European super-state held by many EU supporters and highlighted the long-term dangers of Britain staying tied to Brussels. Mr Pitella's remarks came in an interview with the EU news website Euractiv.

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He said: "Paradoxically, the terrorism threat and the migration crisis could turn out to be an opportunity to finally turn Europe into a fully political Union.

The only possible answer to these challenges is more Europe and a more political Europe Gianni Pitella, MEP

"The sooner we realise that we all need greater European integration, the better we will be able to protect citizens’ security and freedom," said the politician, whose Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats is the second biggest political grouping in the European Parliament. "In front of tragedies such as those that took place in Paris and Brussels, European leaders should put aside their national selfishness and be ready to think and act differently." Mr Pitella said that EU leaders "must deliver a European Intelligence Agency" to improve cooperation between European spy networks in the fight against extremism.

And he argued that closer ties across the EU was the "only answer" to the growing security threat.

GETTY 35 people have been confirmed dead from the terrorist attacks

GETTY Mr Pitella said that EU leaders 'must deliver a European Intelligence Agency'

"It might take some time but the only possible answer to these challenges is more Europe and a more political Europe," he told Euractiv. Robert Oxley, spokesman for the Vote Leave referendum campaign group, said: "Sadly there appears to be no limits to what EU advocates will try and exploit to further their goals of greater political integration. "In any crisis the EU has only one response, more power and money for Brussels. If we vote 'remain' we can expect many more power grabs. "That’s why it is safer to Vote Leave and spend the £350million we hand to Brussels every week on our priorities, not theirs."

GETTY Pitella asked for European leaders to act differently after the tragedies in Brussels and Paris