Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum To Adopt Declaration On Struggle Against Terrorism

The leaders of the 21 countries on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, or APEC, will hold an informal meeting, in Shanghai on October 20-21, to adopt a declaration on the struggle against terrorism, said China's deputy minister of foreign affairs Wang Guangya. The APEC leaders are thus going to condemn the September 11 attacks on the USA and voice readiness to step up international cooperation in fighting terrorism. The fact that issues related to the anti-terrorist effort have been put on the APEC summit agenda does not mean the forum is going to have a new orientation, according to Mr. Guangya. APEC will preserve its status of a regional forum for economic integration of Asia and the Pacific region.