ASEAN officials wrap up summit topics

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

The ninth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting kicked off on Wednesday with senior officials from all 10 member countries opening final discussions on issues to be brought up at the upcoming Summit.

Preparing the final draft statement, the Bali Concord II, the officials had agreed on most of the major points of the statement, especially in regards the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Social and Cultural Community.

Although the Myanmar issue, in particular the release of pro- democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, remains a burning issue, Indonesia is certain that it will not sideline the major issues of the Summit.

Heads of state of the 10 ASEAN members are expected to gather in Bali from Oct. 7 to Oct. 8 to attend the grouping's annual summit.

Indonesian ministry of foreign affairs director general for Asia, Pacific and Africa Makarim Wibisono said on Wednesday that most points had been cleared by senior ASEAN officials.

"There are only few minor details in the statement that remain to be discussed further," Makarim said upon arrival to the resort island.

The draft will be finalized during the ASEAN ministerial meeting on Oct. 5, ahead of the Summit.

The Bali Concord II is to act as the new blueprint for the establishment of a more prosperous, just and secure Southeast Asian region, and is to be effective until 2020, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said.

Aside from the Concord, the ongoing meeting is also to issue several vital documents, such as the ASEAN-China strategic partnership, the ASEAN-India declaration on terrorism and the ASEAN-Japan cooperation.

During the Summit, India and China are expected to sign their ascension to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which is to provide the basis of good conduct for all countries bound under the agreement.

According to the tentative schedule provided on Wednesday, Brunei Darussalam is to sign its inclusion under the agreement of information exchange and establishment of communication procedures.

The agreement was first signed in 2002 between Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Cambodia later joined the agreement, which requires that all participating countries share intelligence information.

Aside from the Summit, Indonesia will also host the first ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in the history of the grouping. The business summit is to act as a forum for the ASEAN business community to seek potential regional opportunities.

The business summit is set to begin on Oct. 6 and will be opened by President Megawati Soekarnoputri. A few other heads of state, such as Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, will also address the meeting.

Also on Oct. 6, Megawati is scheduled to attend the ministerial meeting between Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines on economic cooperation.