MANILA, Philippines -- The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) must continue its anti-terrorism work, Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Thursday, as he commended the efforts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Thailand.

“The region is demonstrating a real capacity to address this issue through good connectivity, good police work, but also through good political dialogue and political advocacy in support of moderation. This is very important in dealing with the problem of terrorism,” said Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in a press conference outside the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum

“We have been very impressed with the progress that is being made by the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and to some extent, Thailand as well,” he added.

On the problem in Mindanao, Downer said that in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s state visit to Canberra late May and early June this year, the issue of going after terrorists “without breaching international norms of human rights…taking into consideration the political consequences” were discussed.

He said Australia would “not micromanage” the issue, but would simply express those “broad principles…I think the Philippines cannot turn its back on terrorism, that it should confront terrorism.”

Downer said ASEAN countries have been “very successful” in tracking down terrorists, breaking up terrorism networks, and terrorism training.

Downer said this meeting, the largest political and security forum in the region involving 27 countries, was a “good opportunity to review and encourage the regional coordination on counter-terrorism.”

Aside from the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), the other ARF members are: the United States, the European Union, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Canada, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, and East Timor.