APEC summit ends with condemnation of terror

11/25/2015 5:34:13 AM

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) A summit of world leaders in the PhilippinesendedThursday with a final statement condemning all acts of terrorism.

Participants in thetwo-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaderssummit also called for“urgent” and “increased” international cooperation against terror followingthe string of attacks on Paris Beirut anda Russian aircraft.

"We strongly condemn all acts methods and practices of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations"the APEC end-of-summit statementsaid."We will not allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies.”

It did not mentionadispute among China the Philippines and other Asian nations over the South China Sea --nor more surprisingly did it includetheusual declarations on trade and investment.

The Manila summit a regional gathering encompassing many of theworld’s biggest economies began just days after the Nov. 13 Paris attacks in which129 people were killed.

The statement also mentioned the Nov. 12 twin suicide bombings in Beirut in which 43 were killed and the downing of a Russian commercial aircraft by a bomb overSinai on Oct. 31 killing all 224 people onboard.

“Economic growth prosperity and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization” itunderlined.

“We stress the urgent need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.”

Russia's President Vladimir Putin skipped the APEC Summit in Manila to oversee an investigation into the crash.

The South China Sea dispute which involves China the Philippines Vietnam Malaysia Brunei and Taiwan -- all APEC members -- was not mentioned in thefinal statement despite apprehension that China’s claims threatenfreedom of navigation in the waters.

As an act of goodwill the Philippines hadacceded to a request by China not to raise the territorial dispute.

The 21 APEC member economies are Australia Brunei Canada Chile China Hong Kong Indonesia Japan Republic of Korea Malaysia Mexico NewZealand Papua New Guinea Peru Philippines Russia Singapore Taiwan Thailand United States and Vietnam.

By Roy Ramos

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