The European Union and the United States have pledged in a joint declaration that human rights and respect for Islam and religious differences will play a vital role in their efforts to combat terrorism.
The EU and the Obama administration on June 3 also pledged to strengthen their cooperation in diplomacy, law enforcement and other areas in order to thwart terrorist plots.
Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, at a meeting of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg where the declaration was signed, said it is important that Muslim countries know that the EU and U.S. respect their values, and that terrorists know that the two allies will counter their activities.
The EU-U.S. declaration was issued ahead of the June 4 EU-Pakistan summit in Brussels, which is expected to be attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
compiled from agency reports
