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Australia - Japan Joint Statement on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism

July 16, 2003

International terrorism poses a profound threat to our peoples and interests, and to peace, stability and security in our region and beyond. The threat of terrorism in our region remains serious. In particular, the atrocity in Bali on 12 October 2002, in which innocent civilians from Australia, Japan and many other countries lost their lives, brought home to both of our countries the great risks posed by terrorists and their supporters to the safety and prosperity of our communities.

We condemn in the strongest terms terrorism in all its forms. We reaffirm our shared interest and common purpose in cooperating to fight the scourge of international terrorism. Terrorism, through its links with other forms of transnational organised crime, as well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, forms part of a complex set of new security challenges that must be confronted.

International solidarity and close cooperation involving governments, regional and multilateral organisations are critical if the fight against terrorism is to be successful. In this regard, we renew our commitment to strengthening cooperation in APEC, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and other regional forums to disrupt terrorist networks and restore economic confidence in the region. We also acknowledge the important role of the United Nations in the global fight against terrorism. We reaffirm our strong commitment to the universal implementation by UN members of UN anti-terrorism conventions and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly UNSCR 1373.We support the early conclusion of a draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism and a draft international convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism.

We recognise the urgent need to help build the capacity of countries in the region, especially in South-East Asia, to fight terrorism. We will strengthen cooperation between us in supporting these countries to help them comply with their international counter-terrorism obligations. In doing so, we acknowledge the importance of Australia, Japan and other donors coordinating their counter-terrorism assistance to avoid duplication and ensure that gaps are filled.

We are determined to reduce the threat posed by international terrorist networks to our communities and to the peace, security and prosperity of the wider region. To this end, based on the spirit of the "Australia-Japan Creative Partnership" issued in May, 2002,we resolve to enhance consultation, cooperation and coordination between us in fighting terrorism in accordance with the Action Plan attached to this Joint Statement.

Adopted on this sixteenth Day of July 2003 in Tokyo, Japan.

Pursuant to the principles contained in the Australia-Japan Joint Statement on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism, the two countries resolve to strengthen bilateral consultation and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in the following areas:
	�	Exchange of information and assessments on terrorism issues and developments, including through visits by senior officials.
	�	Collaboration between counterpart agencies on measures to enhance the capacity of countries in the region to fight terrorism. Particular areas of attention may include:
		-	immigration and border controls, including support for the implementation of Advance Passenger Information (API) systems;
		-	transport security, including activities relating to the implementation of the APEC 'STAR' initiative;
		-	anti-terrorist financing, including support for the establishment and operation of effective Financial Intelligence Units in countries in the region;
		-	cyber security and critical infrastructure protection; and
		-	counter-terrorism aspects of APEC's Energy Security Initiative
	�	Measures to increase the capacity of countries in the region to respond to chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) incidents.
	�	Cooperation to build capacity to assist countries in the region implement their UN obligations, including under UNSCR 1267, 1333, 1373, 1390 and 1455.
	�	Enhanced cooperation and liaison between law enforcement agencies in relation to both operational and counter-terrorism capacity-building issues.
	�	Counter-terrorism activities in regional forums, especially APEC's Counter-Terrorism Task Force and relevant ARF Confidence Building Measures.
	�	Strengthening measures to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, including through the work of the Australia Group and other export control regimes.
Each country's Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism will act as a focal point for issues relating to bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation. Senior officials from both sides will endeavour to meet on a regular basis to discuss terrorism issues.