1. The Japan-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology was held in Tokyo on December 1-2, 1983. The idea to hold this Meeting to promote cooperation in science and technology between Japan and the ASEAN countries was proposed by His Excellency Mr. Yasuhiro Nakasone, the Prime Minister of Japan, on his recent visit to the ASEAN countries in May this year. It was welcomed by the Governments f the ASEAN countries.

2. Japan was represented by Their Excellencies Mr. Shintaro Abe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Takaaki Yasuta, Minister of State for Science and Technology. The ASEAN countries were represented by Their Excellencies Prof. Dr. B.J. Habibie, Minister of State for Research and Technology, Indonesia; Datuk Amar Stephen Yong, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Malaysia; Dr. Emil Q. Javier, Minister, National Science and Technology Authority, the Philippines; Dr. Wong Kwei Cheong, Minister of State for Trade and industry and Mr. Sidek Saniff, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and industry, Singapore; and Mr. Damrong Lathapipat, Minister of Science, Technology and Energy, and Sub. Lt. Prapas Limpabanhu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand. His Excellency Awang Zakaria bin Dato Haji Noordin, Deputy Director of Public Works Department of Brunei, also attended the Meeting. The Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat and the Chairman of ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology as well as senior officials of the respective Governments were also present

3. His Excellency Mr. Yasuhiro Nakasone, Prime Minister of Japan, addressed the Meeting in its opening session. Their Excellencies Mr. Shintaro Abe, Foreign Minister of Japan, and Prof. Dr. B.J. Habibie, Minister of State for Research and Technology of Indonesia, on behalf of ASEAN, also addressed the Meeting in its opening session. Their Excellencies Mr. Takaaki Yasuta, Minister of State for Science and Technology of Japan, and Prof. Dr. B.J. Habibie, Minister of State for Research and Technology of Indonesia and current Chairman of the ASEAN Ministers of Science and Technology acted as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Meeting, respectively.

4. The Ministers shared the vie, that the Meeting, the first of this type, provided a highly useful forum to discuss future prospects of cooperation in the field of science and technology between Japan and the ASEAN countries. Noting with satisfaction the active and fruitful cooperative efforts so far undertaken in this field, the Ministers were of the view that such efforts provided a sound basis for future cooperation.

5. In order to maximize inputs for such cooperation, the Ministers agreed that the projects to be formulated should be of mutual interest to Japan and the ASEAN countries and should aim to meet the needs of the ASEAN countries. They were of the view that Japan and the ASEAN countries should begin with the most feasible projects so as to give momentum for cooperation.

6. To put to the best use the financial and human resources available, the Ministers stressed the importance of seeking an appropriate sharing of roles between Japan and the ASEAN countries. The Ministers also considered that cooperation in science and technology between Japan and the ASEAN countries is a new initiative, and the view as shared that the respective Governments should endeavour to take appropriate measures for the implementation of the cooperation on a continuing basis so that such cooperation could be developed on a substantial real and long-term basis.

7. The Ministers emphasized the desirability of an early follow-up of the Meeting so that detailed specific cooperative projects can be formulated for future implementation. With this in view they agreed that a meeting at senior officials level be convened at a mutually acceptable date in 1984.

The Ministers resolved to meet again at an acceptable date and venue so as to continue a dialogue on a regular basis. They anticipated that such a meeting would take place in the, course of 1985.

8. The Ministers were unanimously of the view that the Meeting was held in an atmosphere consonant with the cooperative and friendly relations between Japan and the ASEAN countries, and they shared the expectation that the promotion of cooperation in the field of science and technology would provide a wider and strengthened basis for this overall relationship between Japan and the ASEAN countries.

9. The ASEAN Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Government of Japan for hosting the Japan-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology and for its hospitality.