|
 |
|
|
Joint Press Statement The ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting To Assess The Agreement On Ending The War And Restoring Peace In Vietnam And To Consider Its Implications For Southeast Asia
Kuala Lumpur, 15 February 1973 |
- The Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Thailand met in Kuala Lumpur on 15th February 1973. The meeting was held in accordance with an earlier understanding that the Foreign Ministers should meet periodically to discuss international developments affecting the region. The meeting was held to assess the recently concluded Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam and to consider its implications for Southeast Asia.
- The meeting 'warmly welcomed the signing of the Agreement and was gratified that as a result of goodwill and cooperation by all parties the most tragic episode in recent history involving so much misery and suffering for the Vietnamese people may at last come to an end. The meeting noted with , satisfaction that the Agreement stipulated respect for the independence sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and neutrality of Laos and of Cambodia, now the Khmer Republic. In order to ensure durable peace and stability in the region the meeting decided to urge the Parties to the conflicts to agree as quickly as possible to cease-fires and to Honour strictly the terms and spirit of the Agreement. The meeting was conscious that many problems remained and recognized the need to continue the search for peaceful solutions to the problems.
- The meeting acknowledged that all nations should follow a police of peace and friendship with all countries irrespective of their political ideology on the basis of mutual respect of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting recognized that the peace and stability of the area and their own ell-being are the primary responsibility of all Southeast Asian countries. The sense of identity and regional cohesion engendered through ASEAN cooperation and the developing national and regional resilience could be the foundation on which Southeast Asian countries could assume this responsibility.
- The meeting was gratified that the Agreement contained elements that are in many respects similar to the principles enunciated in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and that this might signify the . beginning of the realization of a Southeast Asian Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality, free from any form or manner of interference from outside powers.
- The meeting was firmly of the view that a lasting peace in South East Asia can be achieved. through the development of mutual trust and understanding among the countries in the region. It was therefore necessary for these countries to come together and to discuss matters of vital interest and mutual concern. in this connection, the meeting recognizes the desirability of convening a conference of all South-East Asian nations to serve as an Asian forum at an appropriate time in the future. The meeting furthermore agreed that every effort should be made towards establishing and furthering contacts and promoting 'Interlocking relationships amongst these countries. In addition, the meeting was of the view that it was desirable to expand the membership of ASEAN at the opportune time to cover all the countries in Southeast Asia and agreed that the trend of developments gave cause for encouragement that this may so on be achieved.
- The meeting also took the view that the neighbouring countries of Southeast Asia should participate in whatever was possible towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction throughout Vietnam and the rest of Indo-China. The meeting declared its readiness in the spirit of neighbourliness and regional cooperation to have meaningful ASEAN participation in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of all the states of Indo-China. To the end the Meeting decided to refer the matter to the Standing Committee of ASEAN.
- The representatives of Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore noted with satisfaction that in the implementation of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace Vietnam, a major country in the region was serving on the International Commission of control and Supervision. They offered their congratulations to Indonesia on her membership in the international Commission of Control and Supervision and on her participation in the International Conference in Paris. They expressed confidence that the membership of Indonesia in both the Commission and the Conference would be a meaningful contribution towards peace in Southeast Asia.
- The meeting reiterated its commitment to the pursuit of a strong an d resilient Southeast Asia, working closely together for peace and harmony in the region.
- The Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and the Deputy Foreign minister of Thailand expressed their appreciation to the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia for his chairmanship of the meeting and to the Prime Minister and Government of Malaysia for convening the meeting and for the hospitality and excellent facilities extended to their respective delegations.
|
| |
|
|
|
