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Joint Declaration of the Sixth ASEAN-EC Ministerial Meeting
Jakarta, 20-21 October 1986 |
- The Ministers had a full exchange of views on international and regional political and economic problems and found a wide degree of consensus. They reaffirmed the need for both sides to continue to cooperate and consult each other on matters of mutual interest. The discussions were conducted in the atmosphere of friendliness and understanding which has become the hallmark of EC - ASEAN Ministerial Meetings. The EC Ministers expressed their sincere thanks to their ASEAN hosts for the excellent arrangements for the meeting.
International Political Issues
Kampuchea
- The Ministers reiterated their view that the Vietnamese military occupation of Kampuchea continues to be an obstacle to peace and stability in Southeast Asia. They agreed to continue to promote the search for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Kampuchea in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the United Nations and the International Conference on Kampuchea, which call for the total withdrawal of all foreign troops, the right of the Kampuchean people to determine their own destiny free from outside interference, and the restoration and preservation of Kampuchea's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. They noted that Vietnam had consistently rejected proposals to resolve the Kampuchean problem, including the March 1986 proposal of the Coalition of Democratic Kampuchea under Prince Sihanouk, which together with principles endorsed by the UN, the ICK and ASEAN, contain constructive elements for a peaceful settlement. Opposition to Vietnam's occupation made a military solution impossible. An early settlement would meet the concerns of all parties involved. ASEAN and EC Ministers called on Vietnam to begin serious negotiations for the withdrawal of all its forces from Kampuchea. They reaffirmed that no assistance should be given to Vietnam of such a nature as to sustain and enhance the Vietnamese occupation of Kampuchea.
- ASEAN and EC Ministers shared the view that the plight of those who have fled from Indochina, including those still in refugee transit camps in ASEAN countries and those along the Thai - Kampuchean border, remained the cause of serious concern. These refugees and displaced persons had an inalienable right to return to their home countries. For those refugees with no prospect of a safe return, resettlement in third countries must continues as an alternative solution. ASEAN stated that the pace of resettlement continued to be a matter of grave concern and expressed the hope that the momentum would be sustained. ASEAN and EC Ministers stressed their determination to maintain their coordinated response to the humanitarian needs of the refugee population.
Afghanistan
- The Ministers agreed that the occupation of Afghanistan by Soviet forces was of grave concern to the international community and continued to be a major source of international instability. ASEAN- and EC Ministers paid tribute to the resistance o the Afghan people against foreign occupation. The key to peace lies in the complete and rapid withdrawal of Soviet forces in accordance with UN resolutions.
East - West Relations
- EC and ASEAN Ministers exchanged views on recent developments in East-West relations and discussed the prospects following the Reykjavik meeting.
Southern Africa
- ASEAN and EC Ministers reviewed the problem of Southern Africa and explained their respective positions. They were in complete agreement in expressing grave concern at the increasingly tense and repressive situation in South Africa, They stressed the urgent need for a genuine national dialogue across the lines of colour, politics and religion and called for continuing strong international pressure to bring about the total abolition of apartheid. In discussing Namibia they reaffirmed their commitment to the UN's efforts to bring about as early as possible genuine independence for Namibia through the implementation of Security Council Resolution 435.
Middle East
- The Ministers exchanged views and informed each - other of their respective positions on the range of problems affecting the Middle East. They viewed with concern the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict and called for renewal efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement by negotiations. On the situation in Lebanon, they reaffirmed their support for efforts to re-establish full sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and unity. They called on Iran and Iraq to cease hostilities and negotiate the resolution of their dispute.
International Terrorism
- Terrorism, wherever it occurs and whoever commits it, is a major international problem and is condemned universally. ASEAN and EC Ministers agreed that it is the duty of Governments resolutely to combat terrorism and to resist terrorist demands and undertake to cooperate closely in combating terrorism.
Narcotics
- ASEAN and EC Ministers stressed the continued threat posed to member states by the increasing problem of drug production, trafficking and misuse. They were determined to cooperate closely in tackling effectively all aspects of the problem. ASEAN Ministers expressed their appreciation to the EC Ministers for their support in combating the drug problem.
The Ministers warmly welcomed the holding of the International Conference on Abuse of Drugs and Illicit Trafficking which would take place in June 1987. They considered this as a very important step in international efforts to eradicate the drug problem and stressed the significance of committing the international community to combat the drug problem at the highest political level. The EC Ministers agreed to inform their respective governments of the request of ASEAN for support of its candidacy to the post of President of the International Conference on Abuse of Drugs and Illicit Trafficking.
United Nations Financial Crisis
- ASEAN and EC Ministers noted with concern the financial crisis faced by the United Nations. They supported efforts being made to find a comprehensive and durable solution to the problem, including those made by the UN Secretary General and the High Level Group of 18. ASEAN and EC Ministers appealed to all members of the United Nations to support those efforts.
Cultural Cooperation
- The Ministers agreed on the significance of the social and cultural dimension of their cooperation. They also agreed that greater emphasis should be given to enhancing and upgrading this area of cooperation in the future.
International Economic Situation
- The Ministers recognised that continued growth in industrialised countries and low inflation should, overall, offer brighter prospects for the world economy. Nonetheless, they expressed concern that continuing uncertainties in the world economic situation have an impact on the prospects for growth in developing countries, which remains constrained by factors such as balance of payments problems, falling commodity prices, the burden of debt and protectionist pressures.
- The Ministers stressed the mutuality of interest between developed and developing countries in seeing that the problems facing developing Countries are urgently addressed. They agreed to continue collaboration, both in the appropriate international fora and on a bilateral basis, to contribute towards sustained international economic recovery, in particular in the developing countries. The Ministers also expressed their hope that the forthcoming UNCTAD - VII will lead to a positive discussion.
New Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations
- The Ministers reaffirmed the importance they attach to the liberalisation of international trade and, in this connection, welcomed the recent decision to launch a new round of multilateral trade negotiations, the Uruguay Round.
They associated themselves with the Ministerial Declaration on the Uruguay Round and expressed their hope that all trading nations would strictly abide by the commitments undertaken therein. The Community and ASEAN agreed to continue to work closely together throughout the whole negotiations.
They welcomed in particular the decision concerning tropical products, where negotiations, which should receive special attention, would aim at the fullest liberalisation of trade. They also welcomed the recognition by the Contracting Parties of the need to bring more discipline and predictability to world agricultural trade by correcting and preventing restrictions and distortions including those related to structural surpluses so as to reduce the uncertainty, imbalances and instability in world agricultural markets. The Community and ASEAN expressed their Satisfaction on the consensus decision to launch negotiations on trade in services, as contributing to the wider participation of trading countries in the Uruguay Round. In this context, the Ministers reiterated the applicability of the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries to the negotiations.
Commodities
- The Ministers were concerned at the fall in export earnings from many primary commodities of importance to ASEAN producers. They noted that both sides are reviewing their approaches to commodity problems. Further to strengthen mutual cooperation, the Ministers agreed to examine together ways in which ASEAN countries heavily dependent on the commodity sector could carry out measures which will bring about growth, diversification and expansion of international trade.
ASEAN - EC Cooperation
ASEAN - EC Ministerial Meeting on Economic Matters
- The Ministers, recalling the decision taken at the previous meeting in Dublin in November 1984, noted with satisfaction that the ASEAN - EC Ministerial Meeting on Economic Matters was held in Bangkok in October 1985. They commended the ASEAN and Community Ministers on Economic Matters for their valuable efforts and positive contributions towards intensifying ASEAN - EC Cooperation, including identifying new areas of cooperation. They agreed that further such meetings could be contemplated as and when necessary.
Investment
- The Minister reiterated the importance they attached to increased European investment in the ASEAN region. They commended the Joint High Level Working Party on Investment for its work and endorsed its conclusion that ASEAN countries continue to offer impressive long-term opportunities for economic cooperation.
They agreed on the need for careful study of the Report with a view to implementation of the recommendations that would facilitate EC investments in the ASEAN region. They also agreed that the Joint Cooperation Committee should keep under review progress in the implementation of the recommendations.
- The ASEAN Ministers noted the factors considered necessary to be dealt with to promote further European investment in the ASEAN region. They undertook to examine urgently these factors and the recommendations contained in the Report with a view to their implementation.
- The EC Ministers agreed to examine urgently the recommendations in the Report which could be taken on the European side to increase European investment and in particular to take steps to improve the information and services available to European businessmen interested in investing in the -ASEAN region. They agreed to and diversification of ASEAN - EC trade relations which has taken place in recent years and the growing interdependence of their economies, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to maintain open trading systems and improve market access further. They agreed that the EC's GSP scheme is an effective instrument in expanding trade from ASEAN to the EC and welcomed the Community's intention to improve its scheme further.
- Reaffirming the importance of sustained and satisfactory participation of the Community in ASEAN's development efforts, the Ministers welcomed the progress made in intensifying cooperation in areas agreed at the ASEAN/EC Ministerial Meeting on Economic Matters in Bangkok, namely human resources development, science and technology and tourism. They stressed the need for strengthening ASEAN's own training institutions and looked forward to the early establishment of an ASEAN - EC Energy Management Training and Research Centre in the ASEAN region. The ASEAN Ministers expressed appreciation for the Community's assistance towards the establishment of the ASEAN - EC Timber Technology Centre in Kuala Lumpur. encourage representatives of financial institutions in Europe, including the European Investment Bank, to cooperate together on the basis of their relevant expertise, as recommended in the Report, in order to promote a more effective European investment effort.
- The ASEAN and EC Ministers also noted the recommendations for joint action to increase European investment. In particular, they endorsed the recommendation for the creation, in each ASEAN capital, of Joint Investment Committees which could constitute a valuable means of pursuing the objectives as stated by the High Level Working Party on Investment.
- They also agreed on the value of training as an effective long-term means of increasing investment and undertook to encourage the possibilities listed in the Report.
- The EC Ministers reiterated their intention of organizing a series of European events in the capitals of the ASEAN countries with the private sector on the theme of "The City in the Year 2000".
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