10th anniversary Euro-Mediterranean Summit
Barcelona, 27 and 28 November 2005.
Euro-Mediterranean Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism

Brussels, 28 November 2005

The countries of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, guided by the principles and objectives of the Barcelona Declaration, are united in the struggle against terrorism. The threat that terrorism poses to the lives of our citizens remains serious and terrorist attacks seriously impair the enjoyment of human rights. We remain determined to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination to respond to this global challenge. Today, we reiterate our total condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and our determination to eradicate it and to combat its sponsors.

We have exerted considerable effort and had significant success in combating terrorism. We must continue to prevent terrorists accessing money and weapons, to disrupt their plans and disrupt their networks and to bring them to justice, by strengthening international co-operation. Our response must remain proportionate and solidly anchored within international and domestic legal frameworks that ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We must not imperil the democratic values to which we are committed.

We confirm that we will:

• implement in full all Security Council resolutions addressing the issue of terrorism, ensuring respect for the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law;
• strive to achieve the ratification and implementation of all 13 UN Counter-Terrorism Conventions;
• welcome the work on the development of the UNSG’s strategy in the fight against terrorism and co-operate with UN anti terrorism bodies;
• encourage the full implementation of the standards established by the Financial Action Task Force;
• exchange information on a voluntary basis on terrorists and their support networks, in accordance with international and national law;
• work bilaterally and in accordance with national legislation to develop our effective and operational co-operation to disrupt networks and bring individuals involved in terrorist acts to justice;
• refuse asylum to terrorists and deny them safe haven in accordance with international law;
• share expertise and best practices on countering terrorism on a voluntary basis, including through technical assistance;
• ensure respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism in accordance with international law;
• Consider convening a high level conference under the auspices of the UN to formulate an international response to terrorism in all its aspects and manifestations, following agreement on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.

Terrorism can never be justified. If we are to succeed in the long term in enabling international institutions, governments to stop terrorism we need to address all its causes. We recognize the links between peace, security, social and economic development and human rights. We will continue to do all we can to resolve conflict, end occupation, confront oppression, reduce poverty, promote good governance and human right, improve intercultural understanding and ensure respect for all religions. Such actions serve directly the interests of the people of the Euromed region and work against the interests of the terrorists and their networks.

We confirm that we will:

• condemn terrorism in all its manifestations without qualification;
• reject any attempts to associate terrorism with any nation, culture or religion;
• prohibit and prevent the incitement of terrorist acts through the adoption of appropriate measures and in accordance with international law and the national legislation of each country;
• implement the commitments we have made on security and development in our Work Programme;
• work together to conclude the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, including a legal definition of terrorist acts, before the end of the 60^th session of the United Nations General Assembly;
• encourage moderation, tolerance, dialogue and understanding amongst our societies;
• co-ordinate our work to identify the factors which contribute to the terrorist threat and share experiences and expertise on how to address them.

As well as reducing the terrorist threat, we must lessen our vulnerability to attack by protecting our citizens. We have taken huge steps in improving security over recent years, notably in protecting aviation. We will also develop further efforts in the field of maritime security.

We must also be prepared to minimise the consequences of attacks. We have conducted exercises and anticipated such a moment. We will share the lessons of past attacks and provide technical and other assistance where appropriate.

We confirm that we will:

• strengthen our national and collective mechanisms to deal with the aftermath of terrorist attacks;
• share experience on managing the consequences of terrorist attacks and build contacts as appropriate;
• consider inviting one another to participate in or observe our emergency exercises;
• help victims of terrorism and provide assistance to the competent authorities in dealing with the consequences of a major attack.