The ASEM Copenhagen Declaration on Cooperation against International Terrorism

At the fourth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 4), held in Copenhagen on 23-24 September 2002, Leaders, recalling in particular the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 2001, had in-depth discussions on various new security challenges, especially international terrorism and its possible links with transnational organized crime. Leaders agreed to issue the following declaration: 1.We, the ASEM Leaders gathered in Copenhagen on 23 and 24 September 2002 for the fourth Asia-Europe Meeting, declare that acts of international terrorism constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and a challenge to all states and to all of humanity. Terrorism not only endangers the lives of innocents, but also threatens the very foundations upon which our societies are built. We condemn all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, irrespective of their motivation, forms and manifestations. International cooperation in anti-terrorism activities, including regional cooperation such as that of the EU and ASEAN, as well as bilateral cooperation, has greatly progressed. It is essential that the international community steadily continue efforts in this regard. 2.We pledge to work together to combat this threat to global peace and security, sustainable economic development and political stability, and emphasize that the fight against terrorism must be based on the principles of the UN Charter and basic norms of international law. The fight against terrorism requires a comprehensive approach by the international community comprising political, economic, diplomatic, military and legal means in accordance with our respective domestic laws, duly taking into account root causes of terrorism without acknowledging these as justifications for terrorist and/or criminal activities. 3.We emphasize the importance of sustaining the momentum of international cooperation against terrorism and the leading role of the United Nations. We welcome and fully support UN Security Council Resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1377 (2001) and reiterate our commitment to implement these resolutions. We attach great importance to the work of the Counter Terrorism Committee and recognize the need for providing technical assistance to third countries in order to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001). We will work towards the accession to and implementation of the existing international counter-terrorism conventions. We stress the importance of bringing the ongoing negotiations on the United Nations Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism to a successful conclusion. 4.We acknowledge that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to terrorist groups is a serious threat to global peace and security. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to General Assembly Resolution 56/24/T on multilateral cooperation in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation and global efforts against terrorism. 5.We acknowledge that terrorism, including its possible links with transnational organized crime such as money laundering, trafficking in human beings and arms as well as the production of and trafficking in illicit drugs, forms part of a complex set of new security challenges. This calls for a multi-facetted approach to the problems we are facing. 6.We are determined to strengthen consultation, cooperation and coordination on new security challenges by expanding ASEM initiatives directed against the scourge of terrorism and transnational organized crime. 7.Our cooperation will build upon the unique ASEM dialogue and cross-cultural understanding. We reject any attempt to associate terrorism with any religion, race or nationality, and also reject any notion that we can be divided along these lines. 8.We have adopted an ASEM Copenhagen Cooperation Programme on Fighting International Terrorism in order to ensure the implementation of the above-mentioned objectives. 9.Activities to be undertaken in the short- to medium term include the establishment of an informal ad hoc consultative mechanism among ASEM Coordinators and Senior Officials as well as regular contacts between relevant regional and national agencies of ASEM partners to facilitate cooperation in the common fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime. Long-term activities focus on the elimination of cultural misconceptions, as well as on the identification and elimination of the root causes of terrorism without acknowledging these as justifications for terrorist and/or criminal activities.