ANTITERRORISM experts from governments in Asia and Europe agreed on Monday that threats of terrorist attacks remain high, especially in their regions, owing to the radicalization of Muslims in European countries and the growing number of sympathizers of the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist network Jema’ah Islamiyah (JI) in Southeast Asia.

The assessment was made at the opening of the two-day 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in Manila with 133 delegates from 45 countries and four international organizations in attendance.

An official of Malaysia-based Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), speaking on condition of anonymity, said although there has been no terrorist attack in the last few years similar to the bombings in Madrid, London, and Bali, governments should not be complacent. “There is a need to be vigilant on their situation.”

Delegates also agreed the international community must address one of the main root causes of terrorism, which is poverty. “Terrorism needs to be addressed by the international community by looking at the root causes. . . These include the feeling of hopelessness among the poor people especially in Asia,” the source said further.

EU delegates told the forum the series of arrests of terrorist leaders linked to the Madrid and London bombings have weakened the operations of terrorist cells in the region but even so, there remains a serious concern on the growing radicalization of Muslims in many European countries.

“They (overt acts) been suppressed. . .but the elements or the sympathizers still exist and we need to enhance international cooperation to prevent future attacks,” said the source.

The Asem meeting on counterterrorism aims to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy adopted by member states in September 2008.

The UN global strategy has four pillars—addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, building State capacity to prevent and combat terrorism, strengthening the role of the United Nations, and ensuring respect for the human rights of all as well as the rule of law as the fundamental basis for the fight against terrorism.