G20 leaders urged to focus on Daesh terror financing

ANTALYA, Turkey

European Council President Donald Tusk has urged G20 countries to address the issue of terrorist financing and to share information on suspected transactions.

Addressing a joint press conference at the G20 Summit with European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker, Tusk said that Daesh is a global crisis, which required a global solution.

"This cannot be just another summit. Friday night in Paris, the peoples of the free world were attacked by terrorists. We all expressed our solidarity, but words are not enough," he said.

At least 129 people were killed in coordinated gun-and-bomb attacks in Paris Friday night. On Saturday, the French president said that the attack was carried out by Daesh in an “act of war” on Paris.

"Today, it is time to act. We, therefore, call on all G20 leaders to show full determination in our fight against terror. Here at the G20 we have a special responsibility. There is no better forum in which to address terrorist financing," Tusk said.

The European Council president highlighted the fact that terrorist networks cannot plan or operate without the money that moves through the financial systems of many countries. "Only if we fully cooperate on the exchange of information about suspicious transactions, will we be able to stop this threat effectively.

"We, therefore, call on the G20 leaders to develop a coordinated response, both to the short-term needs and the root causes. [...] Here I call on all world leaders with no exception," Tusk added.

In his remarks, Junker told reporters that no one should equate the refugees and displaced people with the Paris attackers.

"Do not mix refugees with terrorists. I invite those trying to change our migration agenda not to give in to basic reactions," Junker said.

He said that those responsible for the attacks in Paris were criminals and not refugees or asylum seekers. "And so there is no need for an overall review of the European policy on refugees," he said.

According to Frontex, the bloc’s border agency, the number of refugees crossing the European Union’s external borders was 1.2 million from January to October this year, four times higher than the 282,000 recorded crossings last year. Syrians constitute the largest number of arrivals, the agency says.

Speaking during a separate session, Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), pointed out the importance of the investment.

"The investments are the seeds of tomorrow's growth. If we do not invest or achieve it, we will not be able to grow," Gurria said.

Urging countries for more innovations, Gurria added, "Without innovation, investment will slow down."

Turkey is hosting leaders of 20 major economies in Antalya for the 10th G20 summit, which is discussing the world's biggest political and security crises, including Syria and the mass migration of refugees. Anadolu Agency is the event’s main photography distributor.