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Joint Statement of the Meeting of the ASEAN Heads Government and the Prime Minister of New Zealand
Kuala Lumpur, 8 August 1977 |
1. On the invitation of the ASEAN Heads of Government the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Right Hon. D. Muldoon, met the ASEAN Heads of Government in Kuala Lumpur on 8 August 1977, upon completion of the Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of Government. The Meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand as attended by the President f the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. General Soeharto; the Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Datuk Hussein Onn; the President of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Ferdinand E. Marcos; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, H.E. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew; and the Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Thanin Kraivixien.
2. The Meeting as held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere reflecting the traditionally close ties between New Zealand and the ASEAN countries.
3. This as the first occasion on which New Zealand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had met together at Heads of Government level. The five ASEAN Heads of Government and the Prime Minister f New Zealand agreed that this historic meeting had been a great value in further the strong and friendly ties that have linked New Zealand with these five countries for more than three decades. All six Heads of Government agreed that this meeting at the highest level demonstrated their mutual desire to enhance ASEAN and New Zealand cooperation.
4. The Prime Minister of New Zealand ,as informed of the progress and achievements of ASEAN, in particular since the Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of Government in Ball in February 1976, He as also informed of the results of the meeting of the ASEAN Heads of Government in Kuala Lumpur. It was emphasized that ASEAN was established for the purpose of promoting economic, social and cultural cooperation in Southeast Asia and that significant and substantial progress had been achieved in ASEAN cooperation. It was affirmed that cooperation would be further enhanced as a result of the recent Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of Government.
5. The Prime Minister of New Zealand congratulated the ASEAN Heads of Government on the achievement of the Meeting of ASEAN Heads of Government in Kuala Lumpur, and expressed his country’s admiration of the progress made by ASEAN in the ten years of its existence. He stressed the importance which New Zealand attached to ASEAN as an organization playing an increasingly active role in ensuring peace, stability and economic development in Southeast Asia and in strengthening regional cooperation in accordance with the Programme of Action adopted at the ASEAN Heads of Government Meeting at Bali. These statements by the New Zealand Prime Minister were welcomed by ASEAN Heads of Government.
6. The ASEAN Heads of Government and the Prime Minister of New Zealand discussed the state of ASEAN cooperation with New Zealand. During the discussions, both sides noted that the present on-going projects under the framework of ASEAN:
(a) New Zealand cooperation have further enhanced relations between ASEAN and New Zealand. The ASEAN Heads of Government expressed their satisfaction with regard to the progress achieved in implementing the projects in the five project areas under the aegis of ASEAN New Zealand cooperation. They noted in particular that the survey or the End-Uses of ASEAN Timber had been successfully completed and the Report submitted, that the first course under the veterinary administration development programme ill be held in early 1978, that pilot project on pine forest development and management had bee. agreed upon, and that the first meeting of ASEAN
(b) New Zealand trade cooperation as held in March 1977, in Singapore. The ASEAN Heads of Government expressed the hope that the other projects which have been agreed upon would be successfully implemented and that New Zealand would make further efforts to enhance and expand ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation.
7. The Prime Minister of New Zealand and the ASEAN Heads of Government also discussed future cooperative activities embracing the fields of trade and economic development. The New Zealand Prime Minister informed the ASEAN Heads of Government that his Government proposed to increase significantly the resources devoted to its programme of development assistance to the ASEAN countries as a group particularly in the fields of forestry and animal health.
8. The Prime Minister of New Zealand added that New Zealand was also prepared to implement and finance a number of measures designed to assist exporters in the ASEAN countries to obtain a greater share of the New Zealand market. The Prime Minister pointed out that in addition to measures already taken to widen the coverage of New Zealands Generalized System of Preferences, the New Zealand Government now intended to make further improvements in response to the request received from ASEAN.
9. The ASEAN Heads of Government welcomed New Zealand’s intention to play a positive role in the development of trade with the ASEAN countries. They urged the Prime Minister of New Zealand to take necessary measure to provide better access for manufactures, semi-manufactures and primary product exports from ASEAN. The New Zealand Prime Minister referred to New Zealand economic difficulties particularly its balance of payment deficits but indicated that there were certain items on which it was expected that progress could be made, such as in the area of import licensing.
10. The ASEAN Heads of Government and the Prime Minister of New Zealand expressed their continuing interest in improving the climate for international economic cooperation. 1. particular they underlined the importance of achieving solutions to the outstanding problems of devel- oping countries as identified in the final session of the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC) in May, 1977 as well as in other international fora. Both sides agreed urgent positive steps take. on these North-South issues, including the various elements of the Integrated Programme for Commodities, would contribute to the early establishment of the New international Economic order. The ASEAN Heads of Govern- ment and the Prime Minister of New Zealand also stressed that agreements reached on commodity policy in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation should be implemented on a priority basis, particularly the establishment of a Common Fund.
11. On the promotion of the cooperative economic relationship between developed and developing countries, the ASEAN Heads of Government and the Prime Minister of New Zealand viewed with concern the spread of protec- tionist tendencies in many developed countries. They agreed that it would be in the interests of developed countries to adopt policies which will promote trade between them and ASEAN countries and expand the flow of investments into ASEAN countries.
12. The ASEAN Heads of Government and the Prime Minister of New Zealand reaffirmed their adherence to the pursuit of peace, stability and progress in Southeast Asia and the Pacific regions. To this end the Prime Minister of New Zealand expressed the desire of his Government to further enhance existing cooperation between New Zealand and ASEAN in the economic, social and cultural and scientific fields. The ASEAN Heads of Government and the Prime Minister of New Zealand expressed the vie, that their meeting at the highest level manifested their desire to enhance ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation.
13. The Prime Minister of New Zealand welcomed the opportunity the Meeting had provided to discuss and broaden areas of cooperation and understanding as well as to share views on matters of mutual interest.
14. The Prime Minister of New Zealand expressed his sincere appreciation to the people and the Government of Malaysia for the warm hospitality accorded to him and the New Zealand delegation and for the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting.
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