An anti-terrorism drill (Photo: Jakarta Post) Jakarta (VNA) – The Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should combine economic integration with deeperintegration in the field of security in order to defeat all schemes andactivities of the self-claimed Islamic State (IS), said an article publishedrecently on the Jakarta Post.
It noted that the IS once said Southeast Asiawill be the next destination for its terrorist activities. Therefore, more thanever, ASEAN member countries need to strengthen solidarity and consensus to becomea united front to maintain peace and create a favourable environment foreconomic growth and bring prosperity for people, the article said.
Looking back at ASEAN’s moves in fightingterrorism, the article recalled that in 2001, ASEAN issued a statement on jointactivities to prevent terrorism. The bloc’s member nations have conducted anumber of relevant high-level conferences to build counter-terrorism programmesin the region.
The greatest stride of ASEAN in the field isdemonstrated by the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLA)and the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT).
However, the rising threat posed by ISnecessitates closer coordination among ASEAN member nations, the article said,reporting that IS has established relations with more than 60 regional armedorganisations and is attempting to move to the Southeast Asian region with thesupport of those organisations.
The largest attack by IS in the region is saidto be the occupation of Marawi city in the Philippines’ Mindanao island sinceMay 23, with 103 persons killed so far.-VNA
VNA
