In a joint statement issued after their one-day summit meeting,leaders of the EU and Russia condemned all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, irrespective of their motivation.

"The challenge stemming from terrorism is global in nature, andthe response of the international community will also have to be global. The fight against terrorism requires a comprehensive approach by the international community, comprising political, economic, diplomatic, and military means," the statement said.

The two sides declared that they would individually and jointlycontinue their international efforts in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and to underpin the broadest possible global coalition against terrorism.

They also agreed to finalize the agreement between Europol and Russia on the exchange of technical and strategic information, explore ways of further strengthening judicial cooperation, and intensify their work under the aegis of the United Nations.

The leaders also said that protecting their populations from the threat of international biological, chemical and nuclear incidents is a shared goal and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in this area.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2002)