1. The European Union and Russia, meeting in Brussels on 11 November 2002, reiterate our condemnation of all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, irrespective of their motivation, forms and manifestations. We declare that we stand united in the fight against terrorism with due regard for the rule of law, for democratic principles and for the territorial integrity of states. Together we are part of the nucleus of the global coalition against terrorism.

2. We strongly condemn the hostage taking in the theatre on Melnikov Street in Moscow in October 2002 and agree that taking innocent civilian people hostage is a cowardly and criminal act of terrorism, which cannot be defended or justified for any cause.

3. We welcome the initiatives already taken in the fight against terrorism in the framework of EU-Russia co-operation on the basis of the EU-Russia Summit held in Brussels 3 October 2001 and the statement on international terrorism adopted at that meeting as well as the EU-Russia Summit held in Moscow 29 May 2002. The European Union and Russia reiterate our determination to combat in close co-operation by all appropriate means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

4. We agree that the fight against terrorism is for the long haul, and emphasise that the challenge stemming from terrorism is global in nature, and that the 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. Together we will oppose all those who seek to impose their will through acts of terrorism, anywhere in the world.

5. We note with concern the connection between international terrorism and transnational organised crime, illicit drugs, money-laundering, illegal arms-trafficking, and illegal movements of nuclear, chemical, biological and other potentially deadly materials. In this regard, we emphasise the need to enhance co-ordination of efforts on national, sub regional, regional and international levels, in order to strengthen the global response to this serious challenge and threat to international security.

6. We declare our commitment

• Individually and together to continue our international efforts in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and to underpin the broadest possible global coalition against terrorism,

• To bring to justice the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of terrorist attacks and to make sure that those responsible for hiding, supporting or harbouring such persons will be held accountable in accordance with international law, in particular on the basis of the principle aut dedere aut judicare.

• To strengthen our co-operation to prevent and suppress terrorist acts including by full implementation of the relevant international anti-terrorism conventions and Security Council resolutions, in particular Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001).

7. Drawing on our common aims, we have decided further to develop the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Russian Federation, especially in the fight against terrorism. We will in particular:

• Finalise the agreement between EUROPOL and the Russian Federation on the exchange of technical and strategic information in order for the Director of EUROPOL and the Russian authorities to be able to sign it as soon as possible.

• Explore ways of further strengthening judicial co-operation to respond to terrorist and organised crime offences, including in due course examining the possibility of co-operation agreements.

• Intensify our work under the aegis of the UN.

Protecting our populations from the threat of international biological, chemical, and radio-nuclear incidents is a shared goal. We will further strengthen co-operation to this end.

8. In order to intensify EU-Russia co-operation related to counter-terrorism, we have agreed on areas of EU-Russia co-operation in the fight against terrorism.

AREAS OF EU-RUSSIA COOPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

At the EU-RUSSIA Summit on 3 October 2001 a joint statement on international terrorism was adopted.

As part of this statement it was decided to consider the conditions and detailed procedures for an exchange of information on:

– the activities and movements of individuals or groups belonging to terrorist networks or maintaining links with such networks;

– tickets of dubious authenticity;

– supplies of arms, explosives or dual-use goods;

– financial transactions likely to be used in support of terrorist intrigue;

– new forms of terrorist activity, including chemical, biological or nuclear threats.

To further deepen the co-operation in the fight against terrorism between the EU and Russia, we have agreed to increase co-operation on the following issues:

– enhanced co-operation in all relevant international and regional fora;

– early signature and ratification of relevant counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, and smooth and rapid implementation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions;

– early finalisation of the UN Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism and the international convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism;

– enhancing common efforts to stop the financing of terrorism, including freezing of funds and other financial assets of terrorist;

– Strengthening co-operation with and support to third countries in implementing UNSCR 1373 (2001), including reinforcement of technical co-operation to third countries for their capacity buildings in the field of counter-terrorism