MOSCOW, April 5. /TASS/. Members of the ASEAN-Russia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime condemned the Crocus City Hall attack and reaffirmed their readiness to work together to bring everyone involved to responsibility and to eradicate the cause of terrorism, says the statement, published on the Russian Foreign Ministry website after the group meeting that took place on April 3.
"Russia’s partners decisively condemned the March 22 terror attack on the Crocus City Hall and stated their solidarity to the Russian side. The participants reaffirmed their readiness for a joint work to eradicate of the cause of terrorism, to thwart its material and other support, and to bring everyone involved to responsibility," the statement says.
The foreign ministry underscored that, during the event, the sides exchanged opinions on the assessment of regional and global threats to the anti-terrorism security, reaffirmed their joint intent to build up the truly constructive cooperation between Russia and ASEAN.
"[The sides] outlined the plans for further practical work in this area for preservation of the ASEAN-centric security mechanisms, which have proven their effectiveness," the ministry added.
The meeting has become the first one after a five-year pause, "which is an important confirmation of the demand for this format, which gains special importance amid the ongoing multifold increase of threats to the international security system," the ministry said.
The next working group meeting is expected to take place in 2025 in Malaysia.