ASEAN and EU to boost ties<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (JP): Ministers of the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union ended their two-day
\nmeeting here on a high note yesterday, agreeing to further
\ndiscuss sensitive issues and development cooperation.<\/p>\n
In a 19-point Joint Declaration -- which marked the end of the
\n12th meeting between ASEAN and EU foreign ministers -- ministers
\nsaid they had agreed to further discuss sensitive issues.<\/p>\n
"The ASEAN-EU political dialog will sensitize both sides to
\nthe security and political considerations and concerns of the
\nregions on the basis of equality and mutual respect for each
\nother's sovereignty," the declaration said.<\/p>\n
"Frank and candid discussions on issues of common concern to
\nboth sides will increase the mutual understanding and comfort
\nlevel between the two sides."<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
The EU comprises Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Finland,
\nFrance, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the
\nNetherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.<\/p>\n
Compromise<\/p>\n
Analysts had feared the meeting would be unhinged by human
\nrights issues, but the spirit of compromise and accommodation
\nprevailed as sensitive issues were deliberated in informal
\nproceedings.<\/p>\n
The two co-chairs of the meeting, Singapore foreign minister
\nS. Jayakumar and Dutch counterpart Hans van Mierlo, both
\nexpressed their satisfaction and underlined the spirit of
\ncooperation which prevailed.<\/p>\n
"The ministers had frank and substantive discussions on
\nseveral issues which I've not seen before. In some ways it was a
\npath breaking meeting ... I am very happy with the progress we
\nhave made," Jayakumar said.<\/p>\n
"We have now agreed to be forward looking and have set a
\ndynamic agenda for the future course of our relationship," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The two groupings agreed to cooperate more closely in the
\ninternational forum and expressed support for the efforts of the
\nnew United Nations Secretary General to reform the body. They
\ncalled on members to pay-up any pending arrears.<\/p>\n
Both also declared a commitment to human rights and
\nfundamental freedoms.<\/p>\n
The declaration then touched on several international issues
\nof common concern: the Middle East, developments in the Korean
\npeninsula, Eastern Europe, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the South China
\nSea.<\/p>\n
ASEAN and EU ministers reaffirmed the importance of economic
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
Both were optimistic at the potential for further
\nstrengthening of economic links. Ministers expressed a commitment
\nto improve market access and promote and facilitate free flow of
\ngoods and services between the two areas.<\/p>\n
ASEAN and EU ministers also stressed that in development
\ncooperation priority would be given to poverty alleviation, human
\nresources development, health and family planning and the
\nenvironment.<\/p>\n
The EU committed itself to assist ASEAN member states wherever
\npossible in economic growth and social welfare, with special
\nattention given to development of rural areas and primary-level
\neducation.<\/p>\n
In a new aspect of the relationship, ministers recognized the
\nimportance of cultural interaction through cooperation between
\ninstitutions and an enhanced media understanding.<\/p>\n
Dynamic manner<\/p>\n
The ministers pledged to consolidate and diversify relations
\n"in a dynamic manner in particular regarding economic relations."<\/p>\n
The extensive outline of cooperation commitments in the joint
\ndeclaration was necessary due to the absence of a new cooperation
\nagreement.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has for several years been pushing for a new cooperation
\nagreement to replace the 1980 pact. The EU has maintained any new
\nagreement should include human rights clauses.<\/p>\n
Inclusion of the elaborated commitments in yesterday's
\ndeclaration broke a possible impasse which might have threatened
\nthe meeting's success.<\/p>\n
Mierlo believed the meeting's success was due to a realization
\nof the importance of the relations and the willingness of
\nministers to talk freely.<\/p>\n
Ministers circulated their statements instead of reading them
\nout, allowing more time for free flowing discussion, such was the
\nspirit of the meeting, Mierlo said.<\/p>\n
Jayakumar said the joint declaration could serve as a
\nfoundation for deepening and widening relations in the future:
\n"It went beyond mere rhetoric."<\/p>\n
Today the ministers will be joined by counterparts from Japan,
\nChina and South Korea to review the results of the Asia-Europe
\nleaders meeting held in Bangkok last year.<\/p>\n
Myanmar -- Page 15<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asean-and-eu-to-boost-ties-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }