Delegates of 25 Asia-Europe Meeting members Tuesday passed a Chair's Summary at the end of a two-day seminar on anti-terrorism.

Shen Guofang, China's assistant foreign minister, said at the seminar that non-traditional security factors, with terrorism as a typical example, are posing a serious threat to peace and security in countries of Asia and Europe as well as the whole world.

Shen said both Asia and Europe are suffering deeply from the harm of terrorism and thus have reached a consensus on many issues including the fight against terrorism.

He said Asia and Europe should improve cooperation in the anti-terrorism area to jointly maintain and promote common security and development and consolidate the equal partnership.

Shen also briefed the participants on China's measures in fighting against terrorism and its bilateral and multilateral cooperation in this aspect with other countries.

The participants agreed that terrorism is a common threat to all human beings and the whole world should improve cooperation to strike hard against any form of terrorism.

They also shared measures and experiences in fighting against terrorism and put forward a series of suggestions in strengthening Asia-Europe anti-terrorist cooperation.

The participants passed the Chair's Summary, agreeing to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the battle against terrorism.

The participants agreed to take a comprehensive approach to the issue of anti-terrorism and will continue to promote dialogue between different cultures.

They stressed in the summary that the fight against terrorism should not be connected with a certain religion, race and culture.

It was decided that an anti-terror liaison mechanism be set up within the Asia-Europe Meeting to conduct more cooperation in information sharing, personnel training, along with efforts to have more communication between legislative and law-enforcement departments among members.

The Asia-Europe Meeting was held in 1996.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2003)