ASEAN and EU to boost ties

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

SINGAPORE (JP): Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union ended their two-day meeting here on a high note yesterday, agreeing to further discuss sensitive issues and development cooperation.

In a 19-point Joint Declaration -- which marked the end of the 12th meeting between ASEAN and EU foreign ministers -- ministers said they had agreed to further discuss sensitive issues.

"The ASEAN-EU political dialog will sensitize both sides to the security and political considerations and concerns of the regions on the basis of equality and mutual respect for each other's sovereignty," the declaration said.

"Frank and candid discussions on issues of common concern to both sides will increase the mutual understanding and comfort level between the two sides."

ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The EU comprises Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Compromise

Analysts had feared the meeting would be unhinged by human rights issues, but the spirit of compromise and accommodation prevailed as sensitive issues were deliberated in informal proceedings.

The two co-chairs of the meeting, Singapore foreign minister S. Jayakumar and Dutch counterpart Hans van Mierlo, both expressed their satisfaction and underlined the spirit of cooperation which prevailed.

"The ministers had frank and substantive discussions on several issues which I've not seen before. In some ways it was a path breaking meeting ... I am very happy with the progress we have made," Jayakumar said.

"We have now agreed to be forward looking and have set a dynamic agenda for the future course of our relationship," he said.

The two groupings agreed to cooperate more closely in the international forum and expressed support for the efforts of the new United Nations Secretary General to reform the body. They called on members to pay-up any pending arrears.

Both also declared a commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The declaration then touched on several international issues of common concern: the Middle East, developments in the Korean peninsula, Eastern Europe, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the South China Sea.

ASEAN and EU ministers reaffirmed the importance of economic cooperation.

Both were optimistic at the potential for further strengthening of economic links. Ministers expressed a commitment to improve market access and promote and facilitate free flow of goods and services between the two areas.

ASEAN and EU ministers also stressed that in development cooperation priority would be given to poverty alleviation, human resources development, health and family planning and the environment.

The EU committed itself to assist ASEAN member states wherever possible in economic growth and social welfare, with special attention given to development of rural areas and primary-level education.

In a new aspect of the relationship, ministers recognized the importance of cultural interaction through cooperation between institutions and an enhanced media understanding.

Dynamic manner

The ministers pledged to consolidate and diversify relations "in a dynamic manner in particular regarding economic relations."

The extensive outline of cooperation commitments in the joint declaration was necessary due to the absence of a new cooperation agreement.

ASEAN has for several years been pushing for a new cooperation agreement to replace the 1980 pact. The EU has maintained any new agreement should include human rights clauses.

Inclusion of the elaborated commitments in yesterday's declaration broke a possible impasse which might have threatened the meeting's success.

Mierlo believed the meeting's success was due to a realization of the importance of the relations and the willingness of ministers to talk freely.

Ministers circulated their statements instead of reading them out, allowing more time for free flowing discussion, such was the spirit of the meeting, Mierlo said.

Jayakumar said the joint declaration could serve as a foundation for deepening and widening relations in the future: "It went beyond mere rhetoric."

Today the ministers will be joined by counterparts from Japan, China and South Korea to review the results of the Asia-Europe leaders meeting held in Bangkok last year.

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