Saturday, November 06, 2004 (470 reads)

BEIJING, Nov 6, 2004 (AFP) - Asia's only security forum has agreed to strengthen cooperation against threats such as terrorism, cross-border crime and drug- and small arms-trafficking, state media said on Saturday. Twenty-four members of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), represented by about 100 military officials, made the pledge during the grouping's first security policy conference here, Xinhua news agency said. "The participants said the armed forces of related countries should play active and constructive role in preventing and fighting terrorism by strengthening coordination and cooperation in line with international laws," the report said. ARF links the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with 13 other Asia-Pacific states and the European Union. boc/th/rcw