The defense ministers of the Community of Sahel-Sahara States approved a declaration of 17 items to boost cooperation in the field of fighting terrorism.

The declaration was endorsed at the closing session of their conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, under Egypt's presidency and with the participation of the community's 27 member states.

The following are the 17 items:

1- To promote cooperation in the field of fighting terrorism through the activation of the existing mechanisms to enhance military and security cooperation, particularly in the field of intelligence sharing. 

2- To enhance border security among member states and run joint patrols in border areas between the countries that witnessed unrest, thus contributing to decisively face the threat of terrorism and transnational crime.

3- To encourage solidarity among member states, which witnessed crises, conflicts and foreign intervention that threatened the safety of their territories.

4- To prohibit all forms of political interference in the member states' internal affairs and to respect their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

5- To refrain from providing support to separatist groups and rebel movements.

6- To strengthen the capabilities of the defense and security forces of the member states in the field of fighting terrorism through the implementation of comprehensive programs for training and exchanging expertise.

7- To support all regional cooperation strategies and establish joint mechanisms to facilitate the quick exchange of information on terrorist groups and activities at the regional and international levels.

8- To dry the main sources of financing for terrorist organizations through the establishment of cooperation mechanisms to combat trans-border crimes, particularly drug, arms and human trafficking and money laundering.

9- To adopt national measures to combat terrorism through plans of action.

10-To raise awareness about the role played by the latest information and communication technology in the strategies developed by terrorist groups and to adopt the necessary measures to address it.

11- To adopt communication strategies designed to protect the younger generation of extremists' deviations through awareness campaigns.

12- To promote the principle of conflict prevention and disseminate the culture of peace and dialogue as a way to resolve crises.

13- To take into account the economic and social demands of the local population, particularly the most vulnerable, to protect them against terrorist movements.

14- To enhance coordination among the Community of Sahel-Sahara States and other regional economic blocs in the security and counter-terrorism fields.

15- To establish a Cairo-based counter-terrorism center for the community's member states.

16-To adopt the revised document of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution after being studied by the executive board at its coming regular meeting.

17- To endorse a draft protocol on the establishment of the permanent peace and security council and its statute after being studied by the executive council at its coming regular meeting.

Source: MENA