EU: The European Union, Israel and its Arab neighbours have endorsed an anti-terrorism code of conduct after overcoming differences at a fractious two-day summit in Barcelona.
However, disagreements over the Middle East peace process forced the EU to drop a "common vision" statement on its plan to revamp relations with its southern neighbours by linking aid more directly to democratic, economic and political reforms.
The two-page anti-terrorism code of conduct yesterday expressed "total condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and our determination to eradicate it".
The talks almost collapsed as Arab delegates pushed for language that effectively said those "under foreign occupation" might legally resort to force to gain freedom.
Diplomats said this was resolved by removing a contentious section referring to the right to self-determination.
The code of conduct commits the EU, Israel and its neighbours to "prevent terrorists accessing money and weapons, to disrupt their plans and disrupt their networks and to bring them to justice by strengthening international co-operation".
It adds that the response to terrorism must be "proportionate and solidly anchored within international and domestic legal frameworks that ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms".
Arab states have long resisted the EU's reform push.
The EU is eager to change course in its Mediterranean policy, which has paid €20 billion in grants and soft loans since 1995 but has failed to tackle poverty. It now plans to link aid to economic and political reforms and to build a Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone by 2010. - (AP)