Cooperation 'necessary' in terror fight

JAKARTA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on Monday unilateral actions against terror suspects would harm the global war on terrorism.

He said that at the upcoming informal meeting of foreign ministers of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), cooperation in the fight against terrorism would be on the agenda.

ASEAN foreign ministers are to meet in Phnom Penh in January.

Marty said that although the meeting would be held against the backdrop of worsening relations between ASEAN countries and Australia, the meeting would not focus on statements from Australia about preemptive strikes against terrorists in other countries.

"The upcoming meeting will not directly respond to the proposal of Australian Prime Minister John Howard," Marty said.

He underlined that ASEAN member countries would uphold the United Nations charter ensuring the sovereignty of all states. --Antara.