At their meeting in Brussels on 20 October 2001, the countries of the European Conference and Russia, Ukraine and Moldova, condemned the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington of 11 September and extended their deepest sympathy to the victims and their families. They also expressed their strong solidarity with the United States in the fight against terrorism, and supported the measures taken, including wholehearted support for the action in the framework of legitimate defence and in accordance with the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 1368.

In order to strengthen their efforts to curb terrorism, the countries of the European Conference and Russia, Ukraine and Moldova agreed to:

- Strive, under the aegis of the United Nations, to strengthen the international coalition against terrorism. They will act with determination within the United Nations and other international fora to promote the fight against terrorism and will spare no effort to achieve the signature, ratification as well as complete and rapid implementation of all relevant international conventions in the field of terrorism. They also welcome Security Council Resolution 1373 and will undertake to implement the required measures as soon as possible. Equally, they will strive to complete the negotiations for the general convention on terrorism presented by India in the context of the United Nations.

- Develop and implement national programmes of specific measures against terrorism inspired by the European Union action plan. In this context, they will intensify their coordination which will also involve the pooling of expertise.

- Act resolutely to combat the financing of terrorism and money laundering, inter alia by taking the necessary measures to freeze the assets of the persons identified by the Sanctions Committee set up under Security Council Resolution 1267 and promoting the implementation and enforcement of the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. They will encourage the progress of ongoing work of FATF and will implement its requirements. They will also intensify the exchange of information in these fields.

- Ensure that the fight against terrorism is conducted in observance of human rights and the rule of law, which it aims to safeguard and strengthen. They will also step up their humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and the countries in the region and will improve its coordination.

Furthermore, the countries of the European Conference and Russia, Ukraine and Moldova agreed to study the conditions and arrangements for an exchange of information on:

- the activities and movements of individuals or groups belonging to terrorist networks or linked to them;

- deliveries of weapons, explosives and dual-use goods;

- new forms of terrorist activities, including the chemical, biological and nuclear threats.

The countries of the European Conference, Russia Ukraine and Moldova also invite all other regional groupings to follow their example by forming effective regional coalitions for the fight against terrorism.

Date: 20/10/2001