Fight terror together

The leaders of ASEM, a grouping of Asian and European nations, wrapped up their summit yesterday with a vow to fight terrorism and violent extremism together as well as ensure cyber security for the benefits of the people of the two continents.

"To ensure the continuity of initiatives that evolve from informal dialogue to tangible outcomes, ASEM will focus on areas of common interest like countering terrorism and violent extremism, maritime safety and security, fighting piracy and armed robbery at sea, as well as human and drug trafficking, cyber security and cyber-crime," the leaders said in the "Ulaanbataar Declaration" adopted on the concluding day of the summit.

The declaration was adopted by the leaders of the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) partner countries as well as heads of European Council and European Commission and ASEAN Secretariat at the Concluding Session of the summit in Ulaanbaatar this morning.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who attended the session, returned home last night.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the PM and members of her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 7:20 pm.

Ministers, advisers to the PM, chiefs of the three services, the dean of the diplomatic corps and high civil and military officials were present at the airport to receive the Premier.

In the declaration, the heads of state and government from ASEM partner countries renewed their political will and strong resolve to work together to energize ASEM to promote further connectivity, mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation between Asia and Europe.

They also pledged to focus on security of and in the use of information and communication technologies, upholding the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, the rule of law and enforcement of international law, human rights, anti-corruption, migration, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Besides, they said, the issues of climate change, environment, disaster risk reduction and management, food, water and energy security, terrestrial and maritime resources and issues including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, education, poverty eradication, blue economy, trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, science, technology and innovation, transportation, MSMEs cooperation, capacity-building across sectors, employment, social protection, women's empowerment, youth and disabled persons will be given more importance in future.

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of ASEM, the leaders recalling the "Helsinki Declaration on the Future of ASEM" of 2006, reemphasised the importance of promoting informality, networking and flexibility within ASEM with a view to bringing about deeper understanding and appreciation of each other's history, culture, traditions and aspirations.

As shifting geopolitics lead to greater uncertainties and volatility in the world, they said, ASEM will reinforce its role as a catalyst for effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order, the declaration said.

The leaders of Asia and Europe termed enhancing connectivity across diverse domains as very important and it is a commonly shared objective saying connectivity will be mainstreamed into all ASEM cooperation frameworks.

Given the growing interdependence between the two regions, Asia and Europe cannot be treated separately in any area of ASEM activities, they opined.

"ASEM has been and continues to be an important factor in shaping the global setting in the 21st century through making its contribution to sustained peace, security, stability, economic recovery and to responding to global and regional challenges," they said in the declaration.

Presidents and vice presidents from 11 countries, prime ministers from 23 countries including Hasina, 16 foreign ministers as well as the presidents of European Council and European Commission and secretary general of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took part in the two-day summit, which was the highest-level international event Mongolia has ever hosted.

ASEM is a forum of 51 Asian and European countries and two regional organisations founded for deepening relations between Europe and Asia at all necessary levels to achieve a more balanced political and economic world order.

The exclusively Asian-European forum was officially established on 1 March 1996 at the first summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangladesh joined the forum in 2012.