Joint Communique on the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, 23-24 July 1999
Joint Communique on the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, 23-24 July 1999
This is the first of two articles of the Joint Communique on the
32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in Singapore.
1. We, the Foreign Ministers of the ten ASEAN countries, met in
Singapore from 23 to 24 July 1999 and renewed our commitment to
work together to meet the challenges of a region undergoing
significant political and economic changes.
2. We, warmly welcomed Cambodia's participation for the first
time in the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), following the
special ceremony in Hanoi on 30 April 1999. This is a milestone
in ASEAN's evolution and a fulfillment of the vision of ASEANs
founding fathers. All Southeast Asians are now part of a single
community. We reaffirmed our commitment to assist Cambodias
integration into ASEAN while preparing for the next phase of
ASEANs development.
3. In the face of new challenges as well as opportunities, we the
ASEAN Ten are confident of overcoming our current difficulties
because we are all united in our aim of strengthening ASEAN.
ASEANs fundamental role in managing diversity and differences in
Southeast Asia is as important today as when ASEAN was formed in
1967. We have now entered a period of consolidation and
rebuilding which would undoubtedly reinforce our foundations and
set the stage for the emergence of a stronger ASEAN. With these
challenges in mind, we unanimously reaffirmed the relevance and
value of ASEAN to all our countries and renewed our determination
to strengthen ASEAN.
4. The 6th ASEAN Summit held in Hanoi in December 1998 was a key
turning point in the process of ASEANs recovery and
consolidation. The Hanoi Declaration (HD) and the Hanoi Plan of
Action (HPA) have taken ASEAN closer towards realizing the ASEAN
Vision 2020 adopted by our Leaders in 1997. In Hanoi, the ASEAN
Leaders decided to strengthen regional co-operation and ASEAN
unity and reaffirmed their commitment to keep ASEAN open to trade
and investment. We reiterated ASEANs determination to fully
implement the Leaders decisions on accelerating the ASEAN Free
Trade Area (AFTA) and the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA). We would
promote to the international community the set of Bold Measures
adopted by the ASEAN Leaders at the Hanoi Summit in December
1998. We highlighted the significance of the decision of the
Leaders of ASEAN and China, Japan and Republic of Korea to
regularize the ASEAN Summits. It underscored their confidence in
ASEAN as a dynamic and resilient organization.
Retreat
5. We held for the first time a Retreat of the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers. The Retreat provided an opportunity for all ten ASEAN
Foreign Ministers to hold frank and wide-ranging discussions on
the future of ASEAN, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEANs
dialogue relationships. The Retreat is part of a continuous
process of serious re-examination of the longer-term issues
facing ASEAN. We are committed to continually shaping an ASEAN
that is attuned to the challenges of the times. ASEAN will
continue to play a key role in the region.
6. We discussed the far-reaching effects of the financial crisis.
We believe that ASEAN had taken a series of significant steps
that would set us on the path to economic recovery. The economic
outlook for the region had improved.
Although there were still uncertainties, there were early
signs of economic recovery. We acknowledged that more had to be
done to sustain the recovery process and renewed our commitment
to continue undertaking the necessary policy adjustment and
structural reforms, and to expedite efforts in the reform of the
international financial architecture.
7. In discussing the future direction of ASEAN, we focussed on
the challenges confronting ASEAN which could undermine ASEANs
image. We stressed the need to remain dynamic and adapt to
changes in the external environment. We reaffirmed the
fundamental principles of ASEAN and the importance of working
together to strengthen ASEAN in order to face up to the
challenges ahead. In the long term, the realization of ASEAN Ten
will strengthen regional resilience.
8. We discussed the issues facing ASEAN and its Dialogue
Partners. Over the years, changes had taken place in our dialogue
relationships. However, we recognized the unique role of the
Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and Dialogue Partnerships in
managing the broad co-operative relationships. We renewed our
commitment to reinvigorate and intensify our dialogue
relationships.
9. We reviewed the development of the ARF and discussed its
future direction. For a regional political and security forum
that groups very diverse countries and major powers, the ARF had
made significant progress during the past five years. We noted
with satisfaction that the ARF, through the active contributions
of all ARF countries, had become the key forum for political and
security dialogue and co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region.
We are committed to strengthening ASEANs role as the primary
driving force of the ARF process. We noted that the ASEAN
officials are preparing a paper on the concept and principles of
Preventive Diplomacy for discussion by the ARF Intercessional
Support Group on Confidence-Building Measures (ISG on CBMs)
during the next intercessional year. We stressed the importance
of enhancing the ARFs relevance and effectiveness in addressing
the challenges faced by the region amidst the changing political
and security environment.
We also stressed the importance of moving the ARF process
forward at a pace comfortable to all participants and on the
basis of consensus.
ASEAN Roadshows
10. We welcomed the idea of Joint ASEAN Roadshows proposed by
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore to market ASEAN as a
joint investment area to our major investors. This represents a
concrete and concerted effort to advance our common interests and
underscores our resolve to work together to restore ASEANs
economic dynamism. We commended the proposal for further action
by the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting.
Implementation
11. We agreed to hasten the implementation of the set of specific
directives in the Hanoi Plan of Action to guide ASEAN activities
over the next six years. This would speed up regional
integration, mitigate the social impact of the global financial
turmoil, deal with environmental issues and other translational
problems, and intensify international awareness of ASEAN.
Significant advances had already been made by ASEAN
Ministerial forum, Committees, the ASEAN Secretariat, and other
ASEAN bodies. We noted that a review of progress would be made at
the 7th ASEAN Summit in the year 2001.
12. We had a useful discussion on the preparations for the 3rd
Informal ASEAN Summit to be held in Manila in November 1999 and
endorsed the Special Joint Ministerial Meeting before the Summit
involving the ASEAN Foreign, Economic and Finance Ministers.
Co-operation
13. Following the Framework Agreement on the AIA signed by the
ASEAN Economic Ministers in the Philippines in October 1998, the
first AIA Council Meeting was held in Phuket in March 1999. The
AIA would link the ASEAN economies more strongly together by
extending national treatment to ASEAN investments in the
manufacturing sector. We would actively support the joint
promotion of investments in ASEAN as envisioned in the AIA.
14. In response to the rapid changes in the global financial
environment, and the risk of contagion, the ASEAN Finance
Ministries and Central Banks have strengthened their co-operation
and consultations. The ASEAN Surveillance Process (ASP) was
established to encourage peer reviews and share experiences on
policy challenges facing our respective economies, in order to
enhance macroeconomic and financial stability in the region.
Development of work programs to implement the finance-related
activities of the Hanoi Plan of Action is currently underway.
15. Steady progress had been made in formulating the implementing
Protocols for the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation
of Goods in Transit.
This would enable efficient transportation of goods in the
region, support the implementation of the AFTA and further
integrate the regions economies.
16. We welcomed the ASEAN initiatives towards the establishment
of an ASEAN Food Security Information System and collaborative
research to develop new and improved production, post-harvest and
processing technologies. We also noted the continuing efforts to
enhance the marketability of ASEAN food, agriculture and forest
products and commodities through harmonization, adoption and
implementation of quality standards and regulations.
17. We welcomed the inauguration of the ASEAN Centre for Energy
in January 1999 and the adoption of the ASEAN Plan of Action for
Energy Co-operation 1999 to 2004 by the ASEAN Ministers of Energy
in July 1999 which would move forward the early realization of
the Trans-ASEAN energy network.
18. We hoped that efforts be further intensified to promote the
development of the Mekong Basin, and that the implementation of
projects and programs in this framework be expedited accordingly.
To this end, it is important to convene as soon as possible, the
ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Co-operation (AMBDC) Ministerial
Meeting.
19. We would intensify efforts to develop the human potential,
the natural resources and the infrastructure linkages of the
Greater Mekong Sub-Region, including the development of less
developed inter-state areas along the West-East Corridor (WEC),
the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN
Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), the Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore Growth
Triangle (IMS-GT), and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth
Triangle (IMT-GT). Co-operation initiatives at the sub-regional
levels would further enhance growth opportunities and expedite
the regions economic recovery progress.
POLITICAL AND SECURITY
20. We welcomed the progress made by the High Contracting Parties
in ratifying the Second Protocol to the Treaty of Amity and Co-
operation in Southeast Asia (TAC). We reiterated our call for
extra-regional states, particularly the major powers, to accede
to the TAC to reinforce its continuing relevance as the basis for
a framework governing inter-state relations in the region and
allowing ASEAN to maintain peace and stability in the region.
This would be further reinforced once the Second Protocol comes
into force.
21. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers convened, for the first time, the
Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty
(SEANWFZ). This is the first concrete step towards the
implementation of the Treaty. The Commission directed its
Executive Committee to prepare the draft rules of procedure and
to initiate all necessary actions to ensure compliance with the
Treaty, including consultations with the Nuclear Weapon States
and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other related
bodies.
22. We noted the consultations which had taken place between the
ASEAN SOM Working Group on the Zone of Peace, Freedom and
Neutrality (ZOPFAN) and SEANWFZ and the Nuclear Weapon States and
urged the Nuclear Weapon States to accede to the Protocol to the
SEANWFZ Treaty as another means of enhancing the regional
security environment.
23. Positive progress had been made in the various ARF activities
at both Track I and Track II levels, including the constructive
contribution of defense and military officials. We assessed that
the Intercessional Support Group on Confidence Building Measures
(ISG on CBMs), the Intercessional Meeting on Disaster Relief,
Intercessional Meeting on Peacekeeping Operations, and other
activities under their auspices had contributed substantially to
the furthering of the ARF process, through the promotion of
mutual understanding and a mindset of cooperation. While
recognizing that the implementation of CBMs continued to be the
focus of ARF, we noted the importance of advancing the ARF
process on the basis of principles agreed, and in this context
supported the recommendation of the ISG on CBMs to discuss the
concept and principles of Preventive Diplomacy (PD) and to
further explore the areas of overlap between CBMs and PD in the
next intercessional year. We also encouraged increased interface
between Track I and Track II and continued active participation
by defense and military officials in ARF activities.
ASEAN FUNCTIONAL CO-OPERATION
24. We discussed ASEAN functional co-operation and its part in
preparing ASEAN to meet the challenges of the future. We noted
the progress made over the past year as recorded in the ASEAN
Standing Committee (ASC) Annual Report and commended the efforts
made by the functional committees to work out strategies for
coping with the impact of the regional crisis in their respective
areas.
25. Economic growth is sustainable only if the environment is
cared for. The atmosphere and the marine environment can be
protected only through regional action. The ASEAN Regional Center
for Biodiversity Conservation has started operations and a
network of National Biodiversity Reference Units among all ASEAN
member-countries has been set up to strengthen regional co-
operation in biodiversity conservation. We welcomed the
initiative to develop ASEAN Criteria and Indicators for
Sustainable Forest Management in the region. We also appreciated
the active participation of ASEAN Member Countries in meeting the
objectives and recommendations for population and sustainable
development contained in the Bali Declaration.
26. We recalled the ravages wrought by the land and forest fires
in parts of Southeast Asia on the health and livelihood of people
and on the growth of the economies of the area in the past two
years. In this connection, we fully supported the work of the
Haze Technical Task Force of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the
Environment (ASOEN) in monitoring, combating and preventing land
and forest fires and mitigating their effects. We appreciated the
support extended by the Asian Development Bank, the United
Nations Environmental Program, and the governments of Australia,
Canada, and the United States. We urged the international
community to continue its support.
27. Recalling our earlier decision to co-operate in ensuring the
conservation and sustainability of water resources, we commended
the ASOEN for taking concrete steps to pursue this initiative. We
welcomed the proposed establishment of an ASEAN Network of Water
Resource Agencies (ANWRA), which is expected to contribute to the
realization of ASEAN regional water conservation program embodied
in the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA).
28. Science & Technology co-operation had been enhanced with the
development of a dynamic and responsive set of strategies to
encourage intra-ASEAN cooperation and collaboration with dialogue
partners and the private sector.
The ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) had
undertaken a project entitled ASEAN Science and Technology
Network (ASTNET) to facilitate information exchange between ASEAN
and international science & technology organizations and to serve
as an information resource and link to the business sector.
29. We stressed the urgent need to strengthen the regional
capacity to combat translational crime. The ASEAN Ministerial
Meeting on Translational Crime held in Yangon last month had
initiated a regional plan of action to combat such crimes as
illicit drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, piracy,
arms smuggling and trafficking in persons and agreed in principle
to establish the ASEAN Centre for Combating Translational Crime
(ACTC). We reaffirmed ASEANs commitment to the Joint Declaration
for a Drug-Free ASEAN, signed at the 31st AMM in Manila, and
called for the support of the international community for the
implementation of ASEAN drug control programs.
30. The ASEAN University Network (AUN) had progressed in its work
in promoting student and faculty exchanges, ASEAN studies and
collaborative research. In connection with ASEANs educational
goals, we welcomed the implementation of the Singapore
Scholarship launched during the 6th ASEAN Summit.
31. We reaffirmed ASEANs policy of ensuring that the poor, the
disadvantaged, and other vulnerable sectors of society, including
women and children, are not harmed or neglected in the effort to
promote economic growth. We stressed the crucial role of women in
economic recovery programs. It is important to focus on the
social impact of the crisis and to expand social programs in
times of difficulty. We welcomed the adoption of the regional
plans of action on health and nutrition, tuberculosis control and
disease surveillance to assist ASEAN in addressing priorities in
the areas of nutrition promotion, new, emerging and re-emerging
diseases, environmental health, food and drugs safety and
disability.
32. We welcomed the Action Plan and Work Program of the ASEAN
Task Force on Social Safety Nets, which aims to strengthen the
capacity of ASEAN countries for developing and implementing
social services for the poor and the disadvantaged. We recognised
the importance of developing strategies aimed at coordinating,
developing and implementing regional activities concerning Social
Safety Nets. We supported the sharing of knowledge, experience,
expertise and best practices in designing immediate and long-term
social safety nets, as called for in the Action Plan. We
acknowledged that alternative, creative and innovative ways and
strategies have to be found in order to achieve these objectives
and welcomed support and assistance from countries and
multilateral institutions. To meet the short-term and long-term
needs in these areas, particularly in Human Resource Development,
we agreed to consider the establishment of an ASEAN Human
Resource Development Fund, so as to facilitate the process of
regional integration within ASEAN.
33. We welcomed the progress made in the work of the ASEAN
Foundation during the past year. We noted its efforts to prepare
a plan of action and a work program focussing on the priority
areas of the HPA, that are in the Foundations mandate to promote:
ASEAN awareness, people-to-people interaction, human resources
development and poverty alleviation. A Workshop to formulate the
Medium to Long-Term Action Plan of the Foundation was held in
July this year. We urged the Board of Trustees to expedite the
implementation of projects on human resources development. We
also noted with appreciation the contributions by Japan and China
to the Foundation and urge our Dialogue Partners and the private
sector to support the Foundation.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
34. We reaffirmed the importance of an outward-looking ASEAN,
which can play a pivotal role in international forum. We
appreciated the continuing support extended by the international
community, particularly ASEANs Dialogue Partners, to ASEANs
activities. We hoped that our Dialogue Partners, the
international financial institutions, United Nations agencies,
foundations and non-governmental organizations would collaborate
with ASEAN in carrying out the co-operative measures in the HPA.
We are encouraged by their participation in the ASEAN Development
Co-operation Forum held in the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta in
May 1999.
35. We reaffirmed adherence to the principle of non-
discrimination in the pursuit of development co-operation in
ASEAN. ASEANs relationships with all its Dialogue Partners, as
well as its co-operation with other countries and regional and
international organizations are based on equality, non-
interference, non-discrimination, mutual respect and mutual
benefit. To ensure that ASEAN consolidates its relationships with
the current Dialogue Partners, we agreed to consider new ASEAN
Dialogue relationships only after July 2000.
REVIEW OF THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT
36. We commended the work of the Special Directors-General
Working Group on the Review of the Role and Functions of the
ASEAN Secretariat. With the new challenges facing ASEAN over the
last few years, new demands had been placed on the ASEAN
Secretariat. The rationalization of the Secretariat's
organizational structure would allow the Secretariat to be a more
effective instrument in helping ASEAN prepare for the future. The
completion of the Review was in line with the call in the HPA for
a more responsive Secretariat.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ISSUES
37. In reviewing the regional and international political
situation, we reiterated our conviction that a stable, strategic
relationship among the major powers, particularly China, Japan,
Russia and the United States was a vital contributing factor to
the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific
region, especially Southeast Asia. A positive framework of
relations among the major powers and their efforts in enhancing
their mutual understanding and co-operation in their relations at
bilateral and global levels are all the more vital, in order to
ensure the continuation of the economic recovery in the region.
38. We expressed our concern over the tension that arose in the
Taiwan Strait after 9 July 1999, which could seriously affect
regional peace and stability and prospects for economic recovery.
We hoped for a quick and peaceful return to normalcy. We
reaffirmed our commitment to our "One China Policy".
39. In reviewing the situation in the South China Sea, we
recognised that several issues remained a source of concern,
including the overlapping and conflicting claims among the
countries involved that remain unresolved. We emphasized the
importance of resolving these issues in the interest of peace and
stability in the region. We reiterated the need for the disputes
to be settled peacefully, in accordance with the recognised
principles of international law, including the 1982 United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to continue to
exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities in the South
China Sea. We recalled the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' agreement in
1996 to the idea of a regional Code of Conduct which would lay
the foundation for long-term stability in the area and foster
understanding among claimant countries. At the 6th ASEAN Summit,
the ASEAN Leaders agreed to promote efforts to establish a
regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea among the parties
directly concerned. Pursuant to these agreements, we noted that
as a follow-up to the ASEAN SOM recommendation in May 1999, the
Philippines has submitted a draft Regional Code of Conduct for
the immediate consideration of the ASEAN SOM Working Group on
ZOPFAN and SEANWFZ at its next meeting. We recognised the
positive contribution of the ongoing bilateral and multilateral
consultations among the parties concerned at the
intergovernmental level, the extensive consultations at the
ASEAN-China Dialogue and the regular exchange of views in the
ARF, and the on-going Informal Workshops on Managing Potential
Conflicts in the South China Sea and encouraged their
continuance.
40. We are also concerned with developments in the Korean
Peninsula and agreed that the parties involved should not adopt
postures which could undermine peace and security. We reaffirmed
the importance of maintaining the 1953 Armistice Agreement and
the Agreed Framework and hoped that all the parties would
continue dialogue with a view to establishing a permanent peace
regime. We expressed support for the Four-Party Talks, the inter-
Korean Dialogue, the US-DPRK negotiations and the Korean
Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) in promoting
peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and as a peaceful
means to advance global nuclear non-proliferation. In this
regard, we noted the Republic of Korea's efforts to contribute to
the stability of the Peninsula, including through the Sunshine
Policy.
41. We noted with deep concern developments in Kosovo, including
the humanitarian crisis, and its implications. We reaffirmed our
support for the UN Charter and respect for the basic principles
of international law. In this connection, we welcomed the
comprehensive political settlement of the Kosovo crisis as
endorsed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution
S/RES/1244(1999) of 10 June 1999, and urged all parties involved
to work closely with the UN in implementing the settlement.
42. We hope for a new momentum in the Middle East Peace Process
and welcome the sentiments expressed by the leaders of Syria,
Israel and the Palestinians to move on to a comprehensive peace
in the region. We welcomed recent encouraging statements by the
new Prime Minister of Israel to withdraw from Southern Lebanon
within the year and to implement the Wye River Agreement in full,
thus paving the way for the further return of territory to
Palestine National Authority (PNA). We urged the parties
concerned to implement all agreements signed and all pledges and
commitments made following the Oslo Peace Accords and Madrid
Conference, in particular the principle of land for peace, in due
compliance with relevant United Nations Resolutions. We also
called for an early resumption of negotiations between Israel,
Syria, Lebanon and PNA in order to achieve a comprehensive and
lasting peace in the Middle East. We called on Israel to take
steps for the immediate and full cessation of the construction of
the settlement at Jabel Abu Ghaneim and similar activities in the
West Bank.
43. We welcomed the agreement reached by India and Pakistan to
end hostilities along the Line of Control and urged both sides to
resolve the dispute through dialogue.
44. We reaffirmed our support for the goals and principles of the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). We stressed the importance of the NAM
as a unifying forum not only for discussions but also co-
operation among developing countries, so that they may exert a
more active influence on the direction and management of world
affairs. We recognised the NAM's strength as a significant
leverage in negotiations vis-a-vis the developed countries on
crucial political and economic issues. We emphasized the need to
continue the active and collective promotion of agreed positions
of the NAM members in the UN and in the international arena.
45. We exchanged views on the need to reform the UN Security
Council, particularly on the aspect of representation among the
developing countries.
We agreed that the reform and expansion of the Security
Council should be considered as a package. Any reform, however,
must take into account the principle of sovereign equality of
states and equitable geographical distribution. There is also the
need for transparency, accountability and democratization in the
working methods and procedures of the Security Council,
particularly in its decision-making process.
46. We stressed the importance for all states that have not
signed or ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and
the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to do so. We urged all
states to refrain from undertaking weaponisation or deploying
missiles to deliver nuclear weapons, and to prevent any transfer
of nuclear weapon-related materials, technology and equipment. To
this end, we called for the immediate commencement and early
conclusion of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a
treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear
weapons purposes as an essential measure of nuclear disarmament
and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. We also called on the
nuclear weapon states to make further efforts towards achieving
the ultimate objective of eliminating nuclear weapons.
47. We noted the progress that has been made on the
implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and
called on all states which had not ratified or acceded to the CWC
to do so. Progress has also been made in the work on the protocol
dealing with compliance and verification of the Biological
Weapons Convention (BWC). To this end, we commended the work of
the Ad Hoc Group of State Parties to the BWC.
48. We supported the ongoing negotiations to draft an
international convention against organized transnational crime,
as well as its supplementary protocols on addressing trafficking
in women and children, and illegal trafficking in firearms. We
urged the international community to focus its attention on the
problem of transnational crime, and called on the UN to play the
lead role in co-ordinating the efforts of Member States to deal
with this problem.
49. We noted the entry into force of the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. We agreed to
support initiatives to enhance international co-operation on
demining, including training, and in the removal of unexploded
ordinance as well as the rehabilitation of mine victims.
50. We recalled the decision of the 26th ASEAN Ministerial
Meeting held on 23-24 July 1993 in Singapore to consider the
establishment of an appropriate regional mechanism on human
rights and noted the establishment of the informal non-
governmental Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.
The Working Group and ASEAN officials have met regularly since
the 29th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, most recently on
22 July 1999 in Singapore. We recognised the importance of
continuing these dialogues.
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ISSUES
51. We welcomed the improved outlook for world output growth and
noted that significant challenges remain. We called upon the
major countries to address the downside risks to the world output
growth and to implement appropriate macroeconomic and structural
measures. We emphasized the importance of open and competitive
markets to sustain growth and stability and urged further market
access for ASEAN exports. We welcomed China's commitment and
effort to reform the financial sector and state-owned enterprise
for sustainable development, and its continued pledge not to
devalue its currency. We noted the signs of imminent recovery in
Japan and welcomed Japan's continued efforts in putting in place
measures to stimulate domestic demand-led growth. We noted with
appreciation Japans US$30 billion assistance to Asia through the
Miyazawa initiative. We hoped the United States would direct
policies at ensuring sustainable non-inflationary growth. We
welcomed the launch of the Euro and looked forward to the
increased role of the Euro in facilitating greater stability in
international financial markets and urged Europe to implement
policies to support domestic demand.
52. In this regard, we reiterated our support for the ASEAN
consensus forged by the ASEAN Finance Ministers on the reform of
the international financial architecture. We called for
expeditious implementation of the concrete measures that have
already achieved a high degree of consensus.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
53. We looked forward to the 3RD WTO Ministerial Conference to be
held in Seattle, USA on 30 November - 3 December 1999. This
meeting would provide an important opportunity to shape the
future work program of the WTO. We urged our officials to
contribute positively towards the preparations underway in Geneva
by submitting specific work proposals regarding the WTO's future
work program, with a view to the early finalisation of a
substantive and balanced agenda for the Ministerial Conference.
54 We emphasized the importance of the membership of Cambodia,
Laos and Vietnam in the WTO and reiterated our full support for
their early admission. We urged the WTO to expedite the accession
process.
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
55. We are heartened by the signs of recovery in a number of APEC
Members' economies but agreed that much still needs to be done to
put in place measures that would facilitate a sustainable
recovery. In this respect, we welcomed the significant capacity-
building initiatives announced at the APEC Leaders Meeting in
Kuala Lumpur last year.
56. We noted the continuous efforts to liberalize trade and
investment and APEC's key role in strengthening the multilateral
trading system. APEC has an important opportunity to make
significant contributions to the WTO this year in the run-up to
the 3rd WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle. We pledged our
support to New Zealand during its Chairmanship of APEC and
expressed confidence that important outcomes would be achieved
under its leadership.
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
57. We were pleased by the strong registration of continued
commitment and support towards the ASEM process at the 2nd ASEM
Foreign Ministers Meeting of 29 March 1999. We reaffirmed our
determination to keep the ASEM process open and evolutionary. We
acknowledged that changes in the global and regional landscapes
of Asia and Europe had made it more important for both regions to
strengthen existing co-operation, which would constitute the
basis for a stable Asia-Europe new comprehensive partnership.