The Third Meeting of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Dialogue was held on 15-16 May 1997 in Manila, Philippines.

The Meeting was attended by delegations from the seven Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea, as well as representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Ernesto V. Llamas, Director-General of ASEAN Philippines, and H.E. Mr. Song Young Shik, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

Both sides reviewed the progress on the relations between ASEAN and ROK in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, and human resources development. Both sides discussed the various activities and projects as well as new proposals for the improvement of cooperation in these areas.

Both sides recognized the fact that since the last Dialogue remarkable progress has been achieved in economic activities between ASEAN and ROK. Both sides agreed to continue consultations to devise ways and means to further strengthen ASEAN-ROK trade and investment relations.

Both sides agreed that there was a need to enhance further people- to-people contacts between ASEAN and ROK. In this connection, the Meeting adopted the proposal of ROK for the Future-oriented Cooperation Projects which would cover the areas of youth, media and culture.

Furthermore, both sides recognized the importance of the forthcoming ASEAN-ROK Forum for the 21st Century which is sponsored by the Republic of Korea and which involves prominent personalities from the public and private sectors. The Forum is expected to recommend measures for the improvement of ASEAN-ROK relations into the 21st Century. The Forum will hold three meetings within a period of 18 months, with the first meeting is scheduled on 29-30 May 1997 in Seoul.

The Meeting noted the progress of implementation of projects under the ROK-ASEAN Special Cooperation Fund (SCF). Since 1995 nine projects have been completed, two projects are on-going, and four projects have been approved but are awaiting implementation.

The Meeting noted the continued contribution of ROK to the SCF.

The Meeting also agreed that there was a need to improve the procedures in undertaking ASEAN-ROK cooperative projects. In this regard, consultations will be conducted between ASEAN and ROK on measures proposed to enhance development cooperation between the two sides.

The Meeting agreed to hold the Fourth Meeting of the ASEAN- ROK Dialogue in Seoul in the early part of May 1999