The ASEAN Economic Ministers expressed their disappointment that the Ministerial Meeting in Brussels had stalled because of impasse over agriculture. The Ministers stressed that the Uruguay Round could not afford a second failure. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the Uruguay Round of negotiations have resumed. They expressed however their disappointment over the lack of substantive progress that has been made so far. All participants must work intensely towards a successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round by end 1991 with a balanced package of results that will be m eaningful and beneficial to all participants. Ministers saw the need to build on what has been achieved in Brussels. In the meantime, all participants must refrain from taking actions that could determine the process of multilateral negotiations.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers expressed the view that every prolongation of the Round will cause further drift in the negotiations and increase the likelihood of failure. Failure of the Uruguay Round will only unleash a proliferation of unilateralism and protectionism in the global trading economy and undermine the multilateral trading system. The Ministers called upon the major trading powers to demonstrate political leadership and assume responsibility in providing the necessary impetus to successfully conclude the Round.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers expressed their desire that the Uruguay Round must succeed as their countries are committed to an open world trading system. Any final package must take into account the need and concerns of all participants. The Ministers reiterated that special differential treatment for developing countries as expressed in the Punta del Este declaration and reaffirmed at the mid-term review meeting should be an integral part of the outcome in each of the areas of negotiations.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers stated that for the Uruguay Round to conclude by December 1991, there should be early breakthrough in the agriculture negotiations. The European Com nity must provide an early and clear political signal. Substantive work need also to be undertaken in the immediate future in the areas of market access, and textile and clothing.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers re-emphasized that the international rules on competition that will emerge from the Uruguay Round should be fair and transparent to prevent their use as instruments of harassment and protectionism.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers urged all GATT contracting parties to commit themselves to operate only under the multilateral trade rules. There should be no unilateralism or unilateral retaliations based on national laws and pra ctices. To this end, the Ministers stressed the importance of achieving a more effective and strengthened GATT dispute settlement system.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers called upon the European Community to work constructively with ASEAN and other participants towards a successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round by December 1991 in strengthening the multilateral trading system, in achieving greater market access, and in working towards a balanced package.