Russia, ASEAN strengthen measures vs terrorism

Russia and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to strengthen measures to combat all forms of terrorism and transnational crimes. In a Joint statement of Russia-Asean second dialogue held in Hanoi during the 17th ASEAN Summit, both parties noted the need for protection “against potential threats of nuclear terrorism, black markets of nuclear materials and other proliferation challenges." “We strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and consider it as one of the most serious challenges facing the world," said the statement. “We are convinced that terrorism shall not be associated with any religion, nation, civilization or ethnic group. The leaders cited the need to address the “underlying causes of terrorism" by countering the ideology of terror groups and suppressing their recruitment of members in the region. The two parties said measures to fight the global menace will be lined up in the ASEAN-Russian Federation Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime Consultation (SOMTC-Russia) that will be held yearly. Russia is one of the world’s five nuclear weapons states along with China, US, France and United Kingdom as recognized by the United Nations Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Russia agreed to campaign for the early accession of these five nuclear weapons states to the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) treaty. Russian and ASEAN leaders said that the accession of these five nuclear weapons states to the treaty is “crucial for regional peace, security and stability." Russian leaders said they are “willing to continue together with the parties concerned, including all Nuclear Weapon States, consultations with ASEAN on early resolution of outstanding issues pertaining thereof on the basis of the groundwork already done." In the statement, the Russian and ASEAN leaders agreed to intensify efforts to combat transnational crimes that threaten regional security and stability. These include trafficking in persons mostly women and children, smuggling of migrants, sea piracy, arms smuggling, money laundering, illegal drug trade, among others. –VVP, GMANews.TV