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Joint Statement by President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Paul Martin on Co-operation in the struggle against terrorism
October 12, 2004
Building on our discussions at the Sea Island Summit, we reiterate the common and unshakeable resolve of the Russia and Canada to fight terrorism in all its forms, wherever it may occur.
We strongly condemn the horrendous terrorist acts recently committed in Russia, especially the unprecedentedly brutal terrorist assault on Beslan’s innocent children. We express our deepest condolences to their families, and to all victims of terrorist violence.
The cooperation between Russia and Canada, reflecting the diverse and democratic character of our countries, is an important contribution to the global fight against terrorism. We stress that all our actions against terrorism shall be conducted while observing international legal norms concerning human rights and refugees’ rights, as well as the norms of international humanitarian law.
In order to contribute to the strengthening of the international response to terrorism, Russia and Canada will further cooperate within the framework of the UN and other international, regional and functional organizations as well as bilaterally to prevent new terrorist acts, to investigate those acts already committed, and to bring those responsible to justice.
We stress the central and coordinating role of the United Nations in the universal struggle against terrorism. We call upon all countries to become parties as soon as possible to the twelve international anti-terrorism conventions and protocols, and to fully and effectively implement their provisions and those of the UN Security Council Resolutions, including UNSC Resolution 1373. We note the importance of UNSC Resolution 1540, which seeks to prevent weapons of mass destruction (WMD), related materials and means of delivery from falling into the hands of terrorists, and we call upon all countries to co-operate to the fullest in implementing this Resolution. We further welcome the adoption at the initiative of Russia of UNSC Resolution 1566 as an important contribution to the struggle against terrorism.
We recognize the importance of multilateral counter-terrorist efforts, including those under the auspices of the UN, G8, OSCE, APEC and ARF, and in functional organizations such as ICAO and IMO, as well as within the framework of the Russia-NATO Council. We encourage their further development, including the improvement of information-sharing, cooperation in the sphere of law enforcement, transportation and border security. We will assist other countries to develop their counter-terrorism potential and will coordinate our efforts through the Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) and other mechanisms.
We recognize the growing links between international terrorism, transnational organized crime, and illicit drug trafficking, and stress the importance of international efforts to combat thesephenomena. This problem is particularly acute in Afghanistan, where drug production and trafficking threaten the stability, security and political future of that country, as well as the security of countries of transit and of destination for illicit drugs.
We will strengthen the cooperation between our competent agencies and services to enhance the exchange of information, professional knowledge and experience in such areas as prevention of hostage-taking and airplane hijackings, protection of transport communications as well as other issues.
In accordance with their international obligations and national legislation and regulations, each country will take the necessary actions to block the financial and other assets of terrorists and terrorist organizations, and will share appropriate information to facilitate further cooperation in this regard.
We note with satisfaction the most recent bilateral counter-terrorism consultations held in Ottawa on September 28, 2004, and we reaffirm that this mechanism constitutes an important element of the joint efforts of our countries in this sphere.
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