Security experts to discuss how to stop ‘homegrown’ jihadistsJuly 27, 2015 - 11:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Security experts and ministers gather in Madrid on Monday, July 27, for two days of UN-sponsored talks on how to stop radicals leaving their countries to join armed jihadist groups abroad, AFP reports. Spain's government said it will also chair a meeting of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee on Tuesday, the day after the talks involving international experts. Spain this year sits on the UN Security Council and has launched a crackdown on "homegrown" jihadists, who it says are leaving to fight with the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. It will host discussions on ways to stop jihadists becoming radicalized and travelling abroad as "foreign terrorist fighters" (FTF) -- and how to prosecute and rehabilitate those that return. The UN said in a statement the meetings aimed to "produce a set of strategies and techniques to guide member states in their efforts to address the FTF threat". Such fighters "represent one of the most pressing and worrying threats to international peace and security," it added. Countries must cooperate "to work against these terrorist organizations as quickly and fluidly" as the armed groups operate, said Jean-Paul Laborde, the UN committee's executive director, according to AFP. More than 200 experts from 70 countries and about 30 interior and foreign affairs ministers or their deputies are due to attend the two days of meetings. Officials say between 25,000 and 31,000 such fighters have headed to war zones to join the Islamic State group, also known by the acronym Daesh. These include hundreds from European countries such as Britain, France, Germany and Spain. Laborde said leaders need to study "the reasons why young people are drawn to Daesh, and how that can be handled". The UN Security Council in September 2014 adopted a resolution calling on member states to take measures to stem the flow of foreign fighters, fearing that they may return to launch attacks in their home countries. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |