Bangkok Declaration ready for leaders approval<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (JP): Economic and foreign affairs ministers of the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday
\nconcluded their two-day meeting by adopting the Bangkok
\nDeclaration, which will be signed by the heads of government on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
The director general for information from Thailand's foreign
\naffairs ministry, Suvidya Simaskul, yesterday confirmed the
\nministers had agreed to adopt the draft Ministerial Report for
\nthe heads of government and the Bangkok Declaration.<\/p>\n
The heads of government, who are expected to arrive here
\ntoday, will hold their fifth summit tomorrow and on Friday.
\nPresident Soeharto, according to Minister\/State Secretary
\nMoerdiono in Jakarta yesterday, is scheduled to leave Jakarta
\ntoday and his entourage will include Mrs. Tien Soeharto and
\nMoerdiono.<\/p>\n
The Bangkok Declaration will cover four main issues: Political
\nand Security Cooperation, Economic Cooperation, Functional
\nCooperation and External Relations.<\/p>\n
He told The Jakarta Post that ministers had also been briefed
\non the arrangements and procedures for the leaders during the
\nSummit meeting.<\/p>\n
ASEAN was formed in 1967 as a socioeconomic organization
\noriginally linking Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore and Thailand. Brunei joined the association in 1984,
\nfollowed by Vietnam earlier this year. Three other Southeast
\nAsian states -- Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar -- are scheduled to
\njoin it in the next few years.<\/p>\n
During the ministerial meeting, Indonesia was represented by
\nForeign Minister Ali Alatas, Coordinating Minister of Production
\nand Distribution Hartarto and Minister for Industry and Trade
\nTunky Ariwibowo.<\/p>\n
Both Tunky and Hartarto refused to comment on yesterday's
\nmeeting, noting that there were no contentious issues and that
\nthe ministers had only referred to documents which would be
\nsigned on Friday.<\/p>\n
Separately, Simaskul told the Post that the main concern of
\nthe ministers yesterday was to create a friendly environment for
\nthe summit.<\/p>\n
Delegates told the Post that as it presently stands, the
\nBangkok Declaration will consist of at least 11 points.<\/p>\n
In the declaration, the leaders urged the speedy realization
\nof an ASEAN comprising of all countries in Southeast Asia and
\nfurther confirmed their commitment to greater economic
\nintegration.<\/p>\n
Conflict<\/p>\n
On political and security cooperation, the Bangkok Declaration
\naffirms ASEAN's commitment to seek a peaceful solution to the
\nconflicting claims in the South China Sea and to explore ways to
\nprevent conflicts.<\/p>\n
They further called on non-Southeast Asian states to associate
\nthemselves to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which
\nremains the basis of amicable relations among ASEAN states.<\/p>\n
The draft Declaration states ASEAN will actively participate
\nin an Asia-Europe summit meeting which is scheduled to take place
\nin Bangkok on March 1-2, 1996, to help build a new partnership of
\ngrowth between Asia and Europe.<\/p>\n
On Functional Cooperation ASEAN leaders will express their
\ndesire to advance their people's economic prosperity and social
\nwell-being.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, cultural and environmental concerns were also
\naddressed, the consensus being that ASEAN will preserve a dynamic
\nenvironment in line with both indigenous and modern values.<\/p>\n
Other points brought up under the ASEAN functional cooperation
\ninclude the eradication of poverty, improving the quality of
\nlife, maintenance of social justice, the strengthening of family
\nfoundations along with the participation of women in all fields
\nof social activities.<\/p>\n
On external relations, ASEAN reaffirmed the dialog process
\ninitiated with various partners.<\/p>\n
The draft declaration also promised that ASEAN would not
\nbecome introverted, maintaining an outward looking stance and
\ncooperation in a world which it recognizes to be increasingly
\ninterdependent.<\/p>\n
ASEAN -- Page 4<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bangkok-declaration-ready-for-leaders-approval-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }