The Eighth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur from 13-15 May 1975. The Meeting was chaired by Y.M. Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Minister with Special Functions for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, H.E. General Carlos P. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, was elected Vice-Chairman.

The Meeting was attended by H.E. General Carlos P. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines; H.E. S. Rajaratnam, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, H.E. Major General Chatichai Choonhavan. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand; H.E. Adam Malik, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia; and YAM Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Minister with Special Functions for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, as leaders of their respective delegations.

At the Opening Ceremony the Former Chairman, H.E. Adam Malik, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, invited YAB Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Hussein, Prime Minister of Malaysia to deliver his Opening Address.

In his address, YAB the Prime Minister stated that the growing habit of consultation and cooperation among Member States had become an increasingly important source of strength in laying a solid foundation for ASEAN to face the testing times head. He further remarked that in ensuring that ASEAN would always remain an efficient and vigorous organisation, capable of responding positively to the new changes and challenges of our time, ASEAN must be constantly vigilant against any complacency.

The Prime Minister stated that never before in their history had the peoples of Southeast Asia the opportunity to create and establish for themselves a new would of peace free from foreign domination and influence, in which the countries of the region could cooperate with one another for the common good.

The Meeting welcomed the steady progress of ASEAN economic and technical cooperation with other countries and organisations. The Meeting endorsed the establishment of the ASEAN-EEC Joint Study Group which would examine further areas of cooperation between the two regional groups. The Meeting also noted that through the representations made to the EEC, some major products of export interest to ASEAN have been accorded improved treatment within the framework of the EEC Generalized System of Preferences. The Meeting further noted the provision obtained from the EEC for a Cumulative Rules of Origin especially for ASEAN.

The Meeting reviewed ASEAN Cooperation with Australia and noted with satisfaction the progress achieved on the projects related to soya bean processing techniques and protein rich foods as well as the proper handling and storage of grains and the transportation of livestock products and other perishable foodstuffs. The Meeting endorsed the continuation of ASEAN Cooperation with Australia through such projects as ASEAN Consumers agency, training and education and trade promotion.

The Meeting further noted the report of the Secretary-General on proposed cooperation between ASEAN and New Zealand in the field of economic and social development. The Meeting welcomed the progress that had been made, in particular the selection of areas in which ASEAN and New Zealand might work together. The Meeting also noted with interest the proposed visit of the Secretaries- General to New Zealand in June to examine the proposals in detail and expressed the hope that the visit would initiate the implementation of the projects.

The Meeting also welcomed the offer of Canada to establish economic and technical cooperation with ASEAN.

With respect to the offer of the Government of the Netherlands for technical cooperation with ASEAN, the Meeting endorsed the guidelines that offers of cooperation to ASEAN should involve the transfer of technology or expertise to the ASEAN countries. Accordingly, the Meeting approved the recommendation that the Netherlands Government should assist in setting up an ASEAN Tourist Office in that country to promote the ASEAN region in Europe.

The Meeting agreed to give a mandate to the Permanent Committees to extend high priority to projects which would enhance intra-ASEAN economic development and cooperation such as those in the field of selective trade liberalisation and industrial complementation. The Meeting agreed on the establishment of the ASEAN Trade Negotiation Body to set up an ASEAN system of trade preferences and adopted the guidelines for ASEAN industrial complementation. The Meeting urged that trade negotiations be intensified and expanded to cover all possible product, processed or semi-processed, agricultural and manufactured. The Meeting agreed that the areas for industrial cooperation should include complementation programme on fertiliser, motor vehicles, agricultural machinery, salt-based industries and the rubber industry.

The Meeting urged that an early study on the possibility of adopting the "package deal" approach be undertaken through allocation of industrial projects to ASEAN countries.

The Meeting noted the urgency of formulating an ASEAN strategy for raw materials in view of the current international situation. It welcomed the early convening of the Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers responsible for planning to consider the mechanics of such a strategy. A paper on this subject had been prepared.

The Meeting noted with satisfaction the periodic consultations being held by the other Ministers among themselves, and in particular warmly praised the initiative taken by the ASEAN Labour Ministers in their Meeting held in Jakarta in April 1975 as well as the consultations among the Ministers of Trade. The Meeting expressed the desirability of proper coordination with the ASEAN machinery.

The Meeting took note of the effort being taken to organize an association of ASEAN Parliamentarians.

The Meeting was gratified to note the establishment of the ASEAN Confederation of Journalists, the Federation of ASEAN Shippers' Council, and the ASEAN Motion Pictures Producers Association. These non-governmental organisations deserve encouragement as they form part of the fabric of ASEAN cooperation.

The Meeting was pleased to note the marked increase in people's participation in ASEAN activities. Therefore, it was felt that an appropriate machinery should be set up to mobilise people's involvement especially among women and youth of ASEAN countries.

The Meeting considered and approved the draft Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Secretariat. H.E. Adam Malik, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia; YBM Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Minister with Special Functions for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, H.E. General Carlos P. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines; H.E. S. Rajaratnam, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore and H.E. Major General Chatichai Choonhavn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand initialed the text of the Agreement for submission to their respective governments.

The Leaders of ASEAN delegations signed the ASEAN Agreement for the Facilitation of Search for Ships in Distress and Rescue of Survivors of Ship Accidents. The Meeting considered the Agreement as a concrete manifestation of ASEAN cooperation in the humanitarian field.

The Ministers agreed to hold the Ninth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in the Philippines, and consequently the seat of the Standing Committee for 1975-1976 would move from Kuala Lumpur to Manila.

The Meeting expressed its gratitude and appreciation to YAB Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Dato Hussein, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, for his keen interest in ASEAN as well as his valuable guidance which contributed immensely to the success of the Meeting.

The Meeting also expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government and People of Malaysia for the warm and generous hospitality accorded to them and to the ASEAN National Secretariat of Malaysia for the excellent facilities provided and efficient arrangements made for the Meeting.

The Ministerial Meeting was held in the traditional ASEAN spirit of cordiality and friendship.