Bangkok Declaration ready for leaders approval
Bangkok Declaration ready for leaders approval
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat
BANGKOK (JP): Economic and foreign affairs ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday concluded their two-day meeting by adopting the Bangkok Declaration, which will be signed by the heads of government on Friday.
The director general for information from Thailand's foreign affairs ministry, Suvidya Simaskul, yesterday confirmed the ministers had agreed to adopt the draft Ministerial Report for the heads of government and the Bangkok Declaration.
The heads of government, who are expected to arrive here today, will hold their fifth summit tomorrow and on Friday. President Soeharto, according to Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono in Jakarta yesterday, is scheduled to leave Jakarta today and his entourage will include Mrs. Tien Soeharto and Moerdiono.
The Bangkok Declaration will cover four main issues: Political and Security Cooperation, Economic Cooperation, Functional Cooperation and External Relations.
He told The Jakarta Post that ministers had also been briefed on the arrangements and procedures for the leaders during the Summit meeting.
ASEAN was formed in 1967 as a socioeconomic organization originally linking Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei joined the association in 1984, followed by Vietnam earlier this year. Three other Southeast Asian states -- Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar -- are scheduled to join it in the next few years.
During the ministerial meeting, Indonesia was represented by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, Coordinating Minister of Production and Distribution Hartarto and Minister for Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo.
Both Tunky and Hartarto refused to comment on yesterday's meeting, noting that there were no contentious issues and that the ministers had only referred to documents which would be signed on Friday.
Separately, Simaskul told the Post that the main concern of the ministers yesterday was to create a friendly environment for the summit.
Delegates told the Post that as it presently stands, the Bangkok Declaration will consist of at least 11 points.
In the declaration, the leaders urged the speedy realization of an ASEAN comprising of all countries in Southeast Asia and further confirmed their commitment to greater economic integration.
Conflict
On political and security cooperation, the Bangkok Declaration affirms ASEAN's commitment to seek a peaceful solution to the conflicting claims in the South China Sea and to explore ways to prevent conflicts.
They further called on non-Southeast Asian states to associate themselves to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which remains the basis of amicable relations among ASEAN states.
The draft Declaration states ASEAN will actively participate in an Asia-Europe summit meeting which is scheduled to take place in Bangkok on March 1-2, 1996, to help build a new partnership of growth between Asia and Europe.
On Functional Cooperation ASEAN leaders will express their desire to advance their people's economic prosperity and social well-being.
Furthermore, cultural and environmental concerns were also addressed, the consensus being that ASEAN will preserve a dynamic environment in line with both indigenous and modern values.
Other points brought up under the ASEAN functional cooperation include the eradication of poverty, improving the quality of life, maintenance of social justice, the strengthening of family foundations along with the participation of women in all fields of social activities.
On external relations, ASEAN reaffirmed the dialog process initiated with various partners.
The draft declaration also promised that ASEAN would not become introverted, maintaining an outward looking stance and cooperation in a world which it recognizes to be increasingly interdependent.
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