ARF sets criteria for new membership to the forum<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): ASEAN and its dialog partners agreed yesterday
\nto restrict future membership of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
\nto sovereign states with a direct impact on peace and security in
\nthe Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n
But they stressed that the formulation of the criteria is not
\ndesigned to shut out any particular country but rather to ensure
\nthat the ARF is participated in by selected states.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Director General of ASEAN Affairs, Rahardjo
\nDjamtomo, told The Jakarta Post that these criteria would prevent
\ntoo many nations participating in the ARF and bogging it down.<\/p>\n
However he said there was no specific number for what ARF
\nministers term in their communique a "manageable level".<\/p>\n
"What's clear is that it mustn't grow into anything as big as
\nthe UN, but neither should it be too small. The main thing is
\nthat it can still be well managed," Rahardjo said.<\/p>\n
The ARF was established by ASEAN as a multilateral
\nconsultative forum on security issues.<\/p>\n
Apart from ASEAN, the members are Australia, Canada, Cambodia,
\nChina, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, New Zealand, Russia,
\nthe United States and the European Union.<\/p>\n
India and Myanmar are participating for the first time.<\/p>\n
During the day-long third ARF meeting here yesterday ministers
\nagreed to adopt the criteria for new participants in the forum.<\/p>\n
The ministers further agreed that the forum must expand
\ngradually. It was determined that new participants would be
\nadmitted by common consensus and that all ASEAN members would
\nalso be participants in the ARF.<\/p>\n
Rahardjo Djamtomo stressed the importance of a potential to
\ncontribute to the region.<\/p>\n
"The ARF is designed to promote regional security. We are not
\ntrying to interfere with security, but we believe that by
\nestablishing security in the region we will contribute to the
\noverall security of the world," he said.<\/p>\n
Several countries such as Britain, France, Pakistan and
\nKazakhstan have applied to join.<\/p>\n
These applications come amid grumblings of discontent in ASEAN
\nover the European Union's (EU) membership of the forum at the
\nannual meeting taking place this year in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Quoting diplomatic sources, Reuters reported that the
\napplications were not intended to replace the EU's seat in the
\nforum.<\/p>\n
Separately when asked about Britain and France's admission,
\nIndonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas at a press
\nconference said this would need further consideration.<\/p>\n
"This matter was brought to the meeting but since we have just
\nagreed on criteria we'll have to discuss it further," Alatas
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Alatas explained that the reasoning behind their request was
\nthe fact that three of the five nuclear powers were already in
\nthe ARF and that therefore it would be logical for Britain and
\nFrance to also have a seat in the ARF, separate to that of the
\nEuropean Union.(pwn\/mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/arf-sets-criteria-for-new-membership-to-the-forum-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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