The three-day meeting, which began Monday, is the culmination of four years of research into policies and measures that would better secure major events in the European Union.

Officials say representatives from police forces, among other security authorities across the EU, are meeting to address the need for a more cohesive security strategy involving national and international organizations.

"The driving force behind this initiative is the need for effective security policies supporting the efforts of major events organizers," Sandro Calvani, U.N. Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute director, said in a statement.

"(This meeting is) a great opportunity to maximize the potential of cooperation between countries and between private and public sectors."

Calvani said the meeting in Rome will also begin a second phase of research aimed at "harmonizing national security research policies to create a European House of Major Events," the release said.