Brussels, 20/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The international summit to counter terrorism ended in Washington on Friday 20 February with the adoption of a joint final statement by the 60 countries represented, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, the United Nations, the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe and of the Arab League et al, pledging the commitment of the parties to increase their efforts to prevent terrorist recruitment and radicalisation.
In a wide-ranging statement containing no concrete measures, leaders condemn the recent attacks in Afghanistan, Denmark, Egypt, France, Kenya, Libya, Somalia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Yemen and Syria and highlight the need to prevent new conflicts and resolve crises. They stress, too, that violent extremism “should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group”. US President Barack Obama did not use the term “radical Islam” even once during the entire summit. “We are here today because we are all united against the scourge of violent extremism and terrorism”, he said after the summit, AFP reports. He urged the allied governments to remain steadfast in the fight against terrorist organisations. He made clear, however, that this fight was not about being Jewish, Christian or Muslim: “We are all in the same boat and must support one another if we are to make it through this crisis”, he said (our translation).
Follow-up in September
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said this was the “third world war … our war as Muslims …our collective war as an international community”. French Home Affairs Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said against that “over 400 young French citizens are right now in the Iraq-Syria region” and that “close to 1,400 French citizens are involved in one way or another in the fighting”.
The final statement sets out further general comments, such as ensuring respect for the rule of law and democratic principles in addressing terrorism. It says, too, that tackling youth employment has a role among the measures that could prevent disengagement. The leaders highlight also counter-propaganda and the use of social media as ways of dissuading young people from going abroad to join terrorist organisations. Tackling radicalisation in prison is also among the priorities established.
Leaders will meet again in September, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to announce strategies and concrete programmes, the statement said. (Solenn Paulic)