SHANGHAI, October 21 -- Following is
the full text of the APEC Leaders Statement on
Counter-terrorism:
October 21,
2001
APEC Leaders
Statement on Counter-terrorism
Leaders
unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms the
terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11,
2001, and express their deepest sympathy and
condolences to the victims of a large number of
nationalities and their families and to the people
and Government of the United States of America.
Leaders consider the murderous deeds as
well as other terrorist acts in all forms and
manifestations, committed wherever, whenever and
by whomsoever as a profound threat to the peace,
prosperity and security of all people, of all
faiths, of all nations. Terrorism is also a direct
challenge to APEC's vision of free, open and
prosperous economies, and to the fundamental
values that APEC members hold.
Leaders reaffirm that it is more important
than ever for every economy to forge ahead in its
commitment in achieving Boger's goal of free, open
trade and investment.
Leaders deem
it imperative to strengthen international
cooperation at all levels in combating terrorism
in a comprehensive manner and affirm that UN
should play a major role in this regard,
especially taking into account the importance of
all relevant UN resolutions.
Leaders commit to prevent and suppress all
forms of terrorist acts in the future in
accordance with the Charter of the United Nations
and other international law, pledge to implement
the UN Security Council Resolution 1368 and 1373 faithfully
and immediately, strongly support all efforts to
strengthen the international anti-terrorism
regime, call for increased cooperation to bring
perpetrators to justice, and also call for early
signing and ratification of all basic universal
anti-terrorist conventions including the
International Convention for the Suppression of
the Financing of Terrorism.
Leaders
are determined to enhance counter-terrorism
cooperation in line with specific circumstances in
their respective economies, through:
Appropriate financial measures to prevent the flow of
funds to terrorists, including accelerating work
on combating financial crimes through APEC Finance
Ministers' working Group on Fighting Financial
Crime and increasing involvement in related
international standard-setting bodies;
Adherence by all economies to relevant
international requirements for the security of air
and maritime transportation. Leaders call on
Transport Ministers to actively take part in the
discussions on enhancing airport, aircraft, and port
security, achieve effective outcomes as early as
possible, and assure full implementation and
cooperation in this regard;
Strengthening of energy security in the
region through the mechanism of the APEC Energy
Security Initiative, which examines measures to
respond to temporary supply disruptions and
longer-term challenges facing the region's energy
supply;
Strengthening of APEC
activities in the area of critical sector
protection, including telecommunications, transportation,
health and energy.
Enhancement of customs communication
networks and expeditious development of a global
integrated electronic customs network, which would
allow customs authorities to better enforce laws
while minimizing the impact on the flow of
trade.
Cooperation to develop
electronic movement records systems that will
enhance border security while ensuring movement of
legitimate travelers is not disrupted.
Strengthening capacity building and
economic and technical cooperation to enable
member economies to put into place and enforce
effective counter-terrorism measures.
Cooperation to limit the economic fallout
from the attacks and move to restore economic
confidence in the region through policies and
measures to increase economic growth as well as
ensure stable environment for trade, investment,
travel and tourism.
Leaders also pledge to
cooperate fully to ensure that international
terrorism does not disrupt economies and markets,
through close communication and cooperation among
economic policy and financial authorities.