Representatives from Russia (Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Victor Ivanov and Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev), the United States (US Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Kenneth L. Wainstein) and the European Commission (Vice-President Franco Frattini) met today in Berlin at the invitation of Dr Wolfgang Schäuble, Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany, current holder of the EU Presidency. Their discussion focused on counter-terrorism, border management and on the situation in Afghanistan, in particular the fight against drugs as a way to increase that country’s stability.
Minister Schäuble stated, "Our trilateral meeting took place in the context of growing interrelatedness between internal and external security. The terrorist attacks of recent years show that conflicts in other parts of the world can also directly affect us. The special dimension of the terrorist threat is particularly evident in the terrorists' willingness to use violence, in their logistical networks, their longterm planning and cross-border methods of operation. Terrorism and organized crime have become global phenomena which affect the United States, Russia and the European Union alike. All three partners therefore share responsibility to serve as an engine for international cooperation in the field of home affairs policy."
Vice-President Frattini said, "The area of justice, freedom and security is a striking illustration of the positive cross-fertilization between internal and external policies. Cooperation and partnership with our strategic partners is an essential element of our strategy. We aim at promoting the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, and security for our citizens."
Secretary Chertoff emphasized that "terrorists have networks, and so should we. There is no doubt about the ambition of terrorists to strike at our citizens. And, a high consequence attack against any of us would have life-changing consequences for all of us. We need to prevent terrorists from achieving the unthinkable by improving international information-sharing and developing a truly global network that detects the illicit trafficking of nuclear or radiological materials. I appreciate the leadership and determination of my counterparts from the EU and Russia on such vital efforts."
"Combating the threats of terrorism and organized crime requires a coordinated strategy that transcends national boundaries," said Kenneth L. Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "Discussions like those held today are essential to forging international partnerships that will protect the citizens of all our nations. We look forward to continued cooperation with the EU and Russia in addressing these critical issues."
Victor Ivanov, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, stated: "Multiplying security threats, including those related to international terrorism and organized crime, bring about the need for decisions presuming specific common actions to be taken to tackle these challenges, especially through mobilization of operational resources. The utmost importance is to be given to coordinated common efforts to bring terrorists and their supporters to justice. In the context of growing interdependence caused by globalization special attention should be paid to assuring the functioning of critical infrastructure, including measures on strengthening the security of its units." Against this backdrop, participants stressed the special importance of close cooperation and the strategically significant dialogue.
Specifically, the meeting achieved the following results:
Participants agreed that fighting terrorism requires a comprehensive approach and close cooperation and Preventing radicalization and recruitment of terrorists, conducting investigations, maintaining effective border management, combating illicit travel protecting critical infrastructure are all critical components of effective Justice and Home Affairs cooperation. Participants also emphasized the central importance of upholding human rights and promoting justice while fighting terrorism. They welcomed the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism launched by the US and Russia as another important element of international cooperation; 13 countries have so far joined the initiative. Participants also discussed the current security situation, which continues to be dominated by the cross-border threat posed by international terrorism and sophisticated criminals, as well as the networks that support them. They stressed the importance of international cooperation in this context, in particular the need for information-sharing across borders.
In order to effectively combat drugs trafficking from Afghanistan as a part of its stabilization, efforts need to be continued and intensified to promote alternatives to opium poppy cultivation, to improve border control and gain greater cooperation from neighbouring and transit countries, as well as to improve international cooperation in numerous formats aimed at diminishing the Afghan drugs threat. It is extremely important for the Afghan authorities to take decisive action against those involved in drugs crime. Participants agreed that this issue should be addressed in greater detail within the G8 framework.
Concerning border management, participants concurred that denying terrorist, criminal and illegal travel through effective border controls is a fundamental requirement for disrupting respective global operations and an important means of increasing stability and therefore requires enhanced international cooperation, notably through the effective use of information with neighbouring states. In this respect the German EU Presidency provided an overview of goals and achievements of the integrated European border management adopted by the EU.
