Joint Press Release of the Third ASEAN - EC Ministerial Meeting, London, 13-14 October 1981

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Joint Press Statement between the ASEAN Ministers and the Commission of the European Community Brussels, 15 October 1981
ASEAN Ministers and the Commission of the European Communities held consultations in Brussels on 15 October 1981. Those participating in the meeting were: On the ASEAN side H.E. Mr. S. Dhanabalan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Chairman of ASEAN Standing Committee H.E. Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand H.E. Mr. Placido Mapa Jr., Minister of Planning of the Philippines Leader of the Indonesian Delegation was Mr. Atmono Suryo, Director-General ASEAN- Indonesia Leader of the Malaysian Delegation was Mr. Tan Sri Nasaruddin Mohammed, Secretary-General, Ministry of Trade and Industry of Malaysia Mr. Narciso Reyes, Secretary-General of ASEAN as also present. On the Commission side Mr. Gaston Thorn, President of the Commission of the European Communities. Messrs. Haferkamp and Davignon, Vice Presidents Messrs. Giolitti and Pisani, Commissioners. The ASEAN Ministers and the Commission noted with satisfaction the discussions which took place in London on 13 - 14 October 1981 among the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and of the Community. Recognising ASEAN as a dynamic regional economic grouping the Commission re-emphasized their strong support for ASEAN's endeavours towards closer regional economic cooperation. They reaffirmed their willingness to work closely with ASEAN by providing all possible assistance and support to supplement ASEAN's cooperative efforts in order to enhance ASEAN as a corner stone of political stability in South East Asia. The Commission recognised the efforts of the ASEAN countries in giving humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons from Indochina. The ASEAN Ministers expressed satisfaction at the assistance given by the Community in this respect. They emphasized that the increased economic interdependence among nations required continued cooperation in the search for solutions that reflect the common interest and the responsibilities of all parties concerned. They pledged to continue to cooperate and play a positive role in international fora such as UNCTAD, GATT and other international and specialised agencies towards the establishment of a new international economic order. In particular within the framework of the integrated programme on commodities both sides agreed to continue to consult and work closely to support and to improve the workings of specific commodity agreements such as the International Rubber Agreement, the International Tin Agreement and the international Coffee Agreement. The ASEAN Ministers urged the Community to ratify the international Natural Rubber Agreement and to sign the 6th International Tin Agreement as soon as possible and to consider participating in the International Sugar Agreement. Both sides agreed to infuse greater momentum to the North-South Dialogue with particular reference to the International Meeting on cooperation and Development at Cancun, Mexico in October 1981. In this framework they stressed the importance of the efforts to conclude Commodity agreements and to improve access to markets. They reiterated the need to maintain free, open and multilateral trading conditions and to promote the recovery and restructuring of the world economy through expanding international trade. In this connection the ASEAN Ministers and the Commission especially welcomed the call of the Ottawa Summit for continuing resistance to protectionist. The Commission noted the concern expressed by the ASEAN Ministers that the Community in resolving bilateral trade problems with other developed countries should avoid negative effects on ASEAN's trade. They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles contained in the ASEAN-EEC Cooperation Agreement and the need to translate political will into concrete measures in order to intensify ASEAN-EEC cooperation. ASEAN Ministers expressed their appreciation for the continued support by the Community in its Assistance programme for non-associated developing countries especially ASEAN. Moreover ASEAN reiterated its belief that more effective implementation of the cooperation agreement requires adequate financial resources and urged the Community to take the appropriate steps to that effect. The Commission agreed to pursue their efforts in encouraging financial institutions within the Community to secure funds on ASEAN Industrial projects at concessionary terms. Both parties expressed satisfaction at the establishment of the ASEAN-EEC Business Council which will enhance participation of the private sector in promoting mutually beneficial investments in the ASEAN region. The Commission noted the ASEAN Ministers' concern that the Community should exert all possible efforts to avoid unfavourable effects of the enlargement of the Community on the economies of ASEAN countries. The Meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere which facilitated free and friendly exchange of views on topics of mutual interest to the Community and ASEAN. The Commission and the Ministers considered the Meeting to have been most useful.