Tunis, Dec 06: A summit of five European and five North African states wound down here today with participants condemning terrorism and pledging to increase regional cooperation to aid its prevention. "We reiterate our firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms," the delegations of France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia said in a joint statement.

The ten confirmed their commitment to work together to fight militant fundamentalism and organised crime, while cracking down on illegal immigration, drug and arms trafficking and money laundering.

"We will work together to fight these afflictions and deal with the threat they pose to peace and stability in the region," the summiteers said.

"The fight against illegal immigration and the trafficking of human beings demands common action and concerted cooperation.”

"Regulating migration to Europe constitutes an important economic, social and human factor, both for the receiving country and the country of origin."

Turning to the wider issue of the faltering Middle-East peace process, the 10 said they wanted to see the process given new impetus in a manner "which conforms to international law”.

On Iraq, the summit expressed their "support for the re-establishment of Iraqi sovereignty and the safeguarding of the unity of its people and territorial integrity within the framework of (UN) Security Council Resolution 1511”. Bureau Report