INTRODUCTION

1.     The Twenty-First ASEAN Ministerial Meeting was held in Bangkok on 4 - 5 July 1988. The Meeting was formally opened by His Exellency General Prem Tinsulanonda, Prime Minister of Thailand.

2.     The Meeting was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam; His Excellency Mr. Ali Alatas, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia; His Excellency Dato' Haji Abu Hassan bin Haji Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia; His Exellency Mr. Raul S. Manglapus, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines; His Excellency Mr. S. Dhanabalan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and His Excellency Mr. Wong Kan Seng, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore; His Excellency Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and their respective delegations.

3.     His Excellency Mr. Roderick Yong, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat, and his staff also attended the Meeting.

4.     His Excellency Sebulon Kulu, Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to the Republic of Indonesia, attended the Open Sessions as Observer.

5.     His Excellency Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, chaired the Meeting. His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, was elected Vice-Chairman.

OPENING ADDRESS

6.     In his Opening Address, H.E. General Prem Tinsulanonda, the Prime Minister of Thailand stated that ASEAN in its twenty-first year must increasingly assume the responsibility that comes with the growing maturity. The Third Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of Government in Manila in December 1987 had made a collective commitment to develop ASEAN into an organization of dynamism and strength. ASEAN should also endeavour to generate more tangible benefits for its people of the region. With regard to the achievement of peace in the region, there had emerged an agreed assessment that this was the opportune time. Efforts had been made by the major powers to mitigate their international rivalries in order to turn to economic expansion. Recent dialogue with the Soviet Union and Vietnam had shown that the possibility of reaching a political solution to the Kampuchean problem could be achieved. It was hoped that an equitable settlement of the Kampuchean issue could be hastily reached, in order to bring about a new era of peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

SITUATION IN KAMPUCHEA

7.     The Foreign Ministers reviewed the situation in Kampuchea and expressed their deep concern over the continued illegal occupation of Kampuchea by Vietnamese military forces. They reaffirmed their conviction that Vietnam's military occupation of Kampuchea is a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, of the right of the Kampuchean people to self-determination, and of the principle of noninterference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. At the same time, the invasion and continued occupation of Kampuchea by Vietnam, already in its tenth year, poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of Southeast Asia, thus endangering international peace and security.

8.     The Foreign Ministers reiterated their call for a durable and comprehensive political settlement in Kampuchea which will lead to the total withdrawal of all foreign forces; the restoration of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, self-determination of the Kampuchean people under international supervision and the achievement of national reconciliation in Kampuchea. The Foreign Ministers also called on Vietnam to accept an independent, neutral and non-aligned Kampuchea.

9.     The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the validity of the Joint Appeal for Kampuchean Independence issued by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 21 September 1983.

10.   The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their support for the CGDK under the Presidency of Prince Norodom Sihanouk. They also recognized that the preponderant role of Prince Sihanouk in the settlement of the Kampuchean problem would promote the various interests of all parties concerned and thus saw the need for all parties to render all possible support for Prince Sihanouk's efforts to seek a political solution. The Foreign Ministers noted the steady progress made by the Kampuchean nationalist resistance forces and welcomed their determination to continue their just struggle against the Vietnamese occupation of their homeland.

11.   The Foreign Ministers expressed their deep concern to the plight of the Kampuchean people under Vietnamese occupation and thus called on the international community not to forget the Kampuchean people's struggle for independence. They reaffirmed their belief that an independent Kampuchea is not attainable without the withdrawal of foreign troops from Kampuchea. They thus called on the international community to continue to deny Vietnam any assistance of such a nature as to sustain and enhance the Vietnamese occupation of Kampuchea.

12.   The Foreign Ministers recorded their appreciation to the international community for its continued support for the CGDK. They viewed the increase in the already overwhelming support for the Resolution on the Situation in Kampuchea at the 42nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as a clear expression of the international community's continued opposition to Vietnam's occupation of Kampuchea, and its support for the Kampuchean people's right to self-determination.

13.   The Foreign Ministers expressed their appreciation to the President of the International Conference on Kampuchea (ICK), His Excellency Leopold Gratz, for his dedication and efforts towards finding a solution to the Kampuchean problem. Recognizing the efforts of the ICK Ad Hoc Committee, the Foreign Ministers expressed their appreciation to its Chairman, His Excellency Massamba Sarre of Senegal and the members of the ICK Ad Hoc Committee. They also welcomed the presence of Ambassador Sarre at the Twenty-First ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

14.   The Foreign Ministers recorded their gratitude to the United Nations Secretary-General, His Excellency Javier Perez de Cuellar, for his efforts to find a comprehensive political settlement to the Kampuchean problem in accordance with the relevant UNGA resolutions. They also expressed their thanks to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs in Southeast Asia, His Excellency Rafeeuddin Ahmed, and welcomed his presence at this Twenty-First ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

JAKARTA INFORMAL MEETING (JIM)

15.   The Foreign Ministers reviewed the diplomatic efforts of ASEAN to bring about a comprehensive and durable political settlement to the Kampuchean problem. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue efforts in seeking such a solution in accordance with the relevant UNGA resolutions on the Situation in Kampuchea. The Foreign Ministers expressed their sincere appreciation for Professor Dr. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, the former Foreign Minister of Indonesia, for his untiring efforts as ASEAN's interlocutor with Vietnam and laying the ground work for the Jakarta Informal Meeting. The Foreign Ministers reiterated their resolve to hold the Jakarta Informal Meeting. In this connection, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia will proceed with his efforts.

16.   The Foreign Ministers commended the courageous initiative of Prince Norodom Sihanouk which resulted in two meetings between the Prince and Mr. Hun Sen. They noted, however, that no breakthrough was achieved and also concurred with the Prince's view that future meetings with Hun Sen were useless, thus making the Jakarta Informal Meeting a viable avenue to resort to in finding a comprehensive political solution of the Kampuchean problem. In this connection, the Foreign Ministers called on the four Kampuchea factions and Vietnam to support, participate and endeavour in making the projected Jakarta Informal Meeting a success. In this context, the Foreign Ministers also called on the international community to lend its support.

17.   The Foreign Ministers referred to their Joint Statement on Indochinese Refugees, issued on 4 July 1988, and reiterated their serious concern over the continued exodus of Indochinese refugees, displaced persons and illegal immigrants into the ASEAN region. They noted with particular concern the enormous increase in the outflow of Vietnamese boat people over the past year. They stressed that the continuation of the refugee problem would create severe difficulties for the ASEAN countries and affect stability in the region.

18.   The Foreign Ministers reiterated the urgency of solving the problem at its source. They called on Vietnam to discourage the illegal outflow of its people, and urged Vietnam to cooperate with the international community to ensure the successful operation of the Orderly Departure Programme. They also urged the Government of Vietnam to accept the repatriation of its people.

19.   The Foreign Ministers also urged the Government of Laos to expedite the return of those who have not passed the UNHCR-monitored screening process, and to accept the voluntary return of its people in safety and with dignity.

20.   The Foreign Ministers expressed continuing concern over the plight of Kampuchean displaced persons uprooted by the Vietnamese military occupation of Kampuchea. They reiterated that a just and comprehensive political settlement of the Kampuchean problem would enable the Kampuchean displaced persons along the Thai Kampuchean border to return to their homeland in safety in accordance with their inalienable rights.

21.   The Foreign Ministers renewed their appeal to the international community to continue to render assistance towards relieving the plight of Indochinese refugees and displaced persons. They expressed their concern over new restrictive resettlement criteria which have resulted in the buildup of long-stayer refugee populations in the region, and called on the international community to fulfill its resettlement commitments.

22.   The Foreign Ministers expressed their appreciation to the United Nations Secretary-General and his Special Representative, Mr. S.A.M.S. Kibria, for their role in helping to alleviate the plight of Indochinese refugees and displaced persons. They also commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for his on-going efforts to resolve the problem.

23.   The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed that the ASEAN countries will continue to deal with the refugee situation in accordance with the humanitarian, social and cultural traditions of the ASEAN countries. They stressed that the application of these principles will have also to take into account the national security and other interests of the ASEAN countries. They called for greater mobilization of efforts and resources on the part of the international community to deal with the problem on the basis of international burden sharing. The Foreign Ministers were of the view that thirteen years after the end of the Vietnam War, the root causes of the refugee problem in South-East Asia still have not been effectively dealt with and thus more innovative and effective strategies will have to be developed to deal with the continuing refugee problem. In this regard, the Foreign Ministers reiterated their call for the convening of an international conference on Indochinese refugees under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General.

THIRD ASEAN SUMMIT

24.   The Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction that the successful outcome of the Third Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of Government in Manila in December 1987 has provided new directions to intensify and accelerate political, economic, social and cultural cooperation of ASEAN. In this regard, the Foreign Ministers emphasized the importance of the follow-up actions on the decisions of the ASEAN Heads of Government to ensure their expeditious implementation. They noted the progress made by the relevant ASEAN committees in the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted by the ASEAN Heads of Government.

25.   The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed ASEAN's determination to work towards the realization of ,he Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) in Southeast Asia. They noted, however, that the Kampuchean problem continues to remain an impediment to the early realization of this objective. They reiterated the mandate of the 3rd ASEAN Summit to draw up an appropriate strategy with clear targets and objectives to demonstrate progress towards the early realization of ZOPFAN. They also directed the Senior Officials to continue consideration of the concept of a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) as a component of ZOPFAN, with a view to completing the drafting as soon as possible a treaty on the SEANWFZ, taking into account all its implications. They agreed that ASEAN Members - collectively or individually - shall undertake consultations with other states in the Southeast Asia as well as nuclear states on primary elements of SEANWFZ for the purpose of obtaining their support for the Zone.

REVIEW OF ASEAN COOPERATION

26.   The Foreign Ministers in accordance with the directives of Third ASEAN Summit on the enhancement of political cooperation among ASEAN countries expressed their support for Malaysia's candidature for a non-permanent member seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 1989 - 1990.

27.   The Foreign Ministers commended the effort made by other ASEAN Ministers to improve and enhance ASEAN cooperation in their respective fields of responsibility. They noted that various ministerial meetings were held during the year to prepare for the Third Meeting of ASEAN Heads of Government. They noted with satisfaction the results of the 19th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting, the Informal Meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers, the Ninth Meeting of ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Third ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, which had made useful and, practical recommendations to enhance intra-ASEAN cooperation.

28.   The Foreign Ministers noted with satisfaction that the relevant ASEAN Committees have made marked progress in the implementation of the improved ASEAN Preferential Trading Arrangements (PTA) and ASEAN Industrial Joint Ventures (AIJV) scheme. They further noted that the ASEAN Committee on Trade and Tourism (COTT) has adopted the 1988 Programmes of member countries to phase-in items on their exclusion lists into the PTA and that negotiations on the rollback of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) will begin soon. The Foreign Ministers expressed confidence that the improved AIJV Scheme and the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investment in ASEAN would promote joint venture cooperation among member countries and between ASEAN and foreign investors, and increase the flow of foreign investments into the ASEAN region. They welcomed the steps taken by the ASEAN Committee on Industry, Minerals and Energy (COIME) to draw up the pre-approved list of AIJV products.

29.   The Foreign Ministers recalled the decision by the ASEAN Heads of Government to declare the year 1992, the 25th anniversary of ASEAN, as the "Visit ASEAN Year " (VAY). They expressed the hope that the VAY Programme would promote intra-ASEAN tourism, increase visitor traffic to ASEAN from major tourist generating markets, and help develop the tourist industry in the region. The Foreign Ministers believed that the objectives of the VAY Programme would be realized through close cooperation and coordination among the ASEAN Heads of National Tourism Organizations, the ASEAN national flag carriers and ASEANTA.

30.   The Foreign Ministers noted the Report of the Seventh Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers on Energy Cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the field of energy cooperation. They further noted that follow-up actions have been taken to implement the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement signed in 1986 in Manila.

31.   The Foreign Ministers noted that functional cooperation has made significant progress in promoting ASEAN ideals and regional cooperation. They further noted that functional cooperation, which embraces a wide spectrum of activities in areas such as science and technology, culture and information and social development covering social welfare, education, women, youth, health, labor and population, is being intensified towards achieving the common aims of increasing awareness of ASEAN, widening the involvement and increasing the participation of the peoples of ASEAN in ASEAN undertakings, and promoting socioeconomic development through human resources development (HRD). The Foreign Ministers, recognizing the role of women as active agents in and beneficiaries of development, signed on 5 July 1988 the Declaration on the Advancement of Women in the ASEAN Region.

32.   The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their belief that the political and economic resilience of each individual ASEAN country was vital to the stability and security of the region as a whole. They, therefore, expressed full support for the efforts and progress being made by the Philippine Government to revitalize the Philippine economy and promote the well-being of its people. The Foreign Ministers further called upon the international community to consider the immediate implementation of a poly-sectoral programme for economic assistance for the Philippine in order to give impetus to the economic recovery of the Philippines. They also stated that the other ASEAN . member countries stand ready to contribute actively to such poly-sectoral programme for the Philippines. They emphasized the urgency of the plan and urged the major industrialized -countries and other nations to respond positively and render full support to this initiative.

PRIVATE SECTOR AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

33.   The Foreign Ministers commended the private sector including the ASEAN - CCI, the research institutions in member countries and other ASEAN non-governmental organizations for their contribution to the formulation of new initiatives for future ASEAN cooperation. They emphasized the important role of the private sector in intra-ASEAN cooperation and in economic development of ASEAN and expressed the view that the active participation of the private sector in both intra-ASEAN cooperation and its relations with the Dialogue Partners should be encouraged. in this regard, they noted that Guidelines for Private Sector Participation in ASEAN Meetings and Activities had been formulated by the ASEAN Standing Committee.

DRUGS

34.   The Foreign Ministers commended the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drugs for their continued progress in regional collaboration to eradicate drug abuse. They called for continued efforts at both bilateral and multilateral levels to deal with the drug menace, including through expanded cooperation in the areas of prevention, suppression, interdiction and rehabilitation.

35.   The Foreign Ministers affirmed that the ASEAN countries will cooperate actively with all interested parties in the international war against drugs. They noted the successful outcome of the first United Nations - sponsored International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (ICDAIT) at which His Excellency the Prime Minister of Malaysia was elected Chairman. The Foreign Ministers called for the expeditious and sustained implementation by the international community of the recommendations of the Conference.

36.   The Foreign Ministers noted with concern that illicit production of narcotics continued to be a problem in the South East Asian region, leading to increased trafficking of illicit drugs through some ASEAN countries and thus posing a threat to all ASEAN societies. In this connection, the Foreign Ministers called on countries in the region to embark upon cooperative efforts to eliminate the illicit production of narcotics.

ASEAN PACIFIC COOPERATION - HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

37.   With regard to the APC-HRD, the Foreign Ministers noted that the two year moratorium has expired and agreed to consider other projects besides the existing ones. It was further agreed that the ASEAN Directors-General consider the existing guidelines on APC-HRD in order to make recommendations to SOM for consideration.

COOPERATION WITH DIALOGUE PARTNERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATION

38.   The Foreign Ministers noted the progress of ASEAN's cooperation with its Dialogue Partners namely Australia, Canada, the European Community, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States and the UNDP. They expressed their appreciation to the Dialogue Partners and the UNDP for their continued cooperation with ASEAN in various development projects. The Foreign Ministers reiterated the importance ASEAN attached to the cooperation with the Dialogue Partners and stressed that ASEAN is determined to make the dialogue relations more effective and mutually beneficial. Noting the decisions of the Third ASEAN Summit that emphasis of ASEAN cooperation with the Dialogue Partners should be placed on areas of special interest to ASEAN such as market access, trade and tourism promotion, investments, flow of resources, industrial development, transfer of technology, human resources development, and support for ASEAN's position at international fora such as GATT and UNCTAD, the Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction that these decisions are being implemented.

39.   The Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction with the results of the 11th ASEAN - Australia Forum in Manila on 7-8 June 1988. They noted that ASEAN and Australia shared common views on many issues related to the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade - Negotiations. They further noted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the second phase of ASEAN - Australia Economic Cooperation Programme (AAECP) had been finalised and would be signed by Australia and the Philippines, on behalf of ASEAN, during the Post Ministerial Conference with Australia on 9 July 1988. They were pleased to note that AAECP Phase II shall focus on areas of special interest to ASEAN.

40.   The Foreign Ministers noted the successful conclusion of the Fifth ASEAN - Canada Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting in Ottawa on 7 - 8 April 1988. They also took note of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and Canada on the ASEAN Canada Forest Tree Seed Centre (Phase II). The Foreign Ministers expressed appreciation for Canada's continued endeavour in promoting trade, economic and development cooperation with ASEAN. They welcomed the participation of the representatives of the ASEAN - Canada Business Council (ACBC) at the Fifth JCC Meeting. The Foreign Ministers also stressed the need for close consultation between ASEAN and Canada on the Uruguay Round. They also noted that the Memorandum on Understanding (MOU) on ASEAN Grain Post-Harvest Programme would be signed by Canada and Thailand, on behalf of ASEAN, during the Post Ministerial Conference with Canada on 8 July 1988.

41.   The Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the Seventh ASEAN - EC Ministerial Meeting (AEMM VII) on 2-3 May 1988 in Dusseldorf. The constructive and cordial exchange of views on political and economic issues of common concern has brought about better understanding and closer cooperation between ASEAN and the EC. The Foreign Ministers noted with satisfaction that the close cooperation in economic field has benefited the two regions. They also expressed great interest in intensifying industrial cooperation between, ASEAN and the EC. The Foreign Ministers welcomed the establishment of the Joint ASEAN EC Investment Committees (JIC) in all ASEAN capitals and agreed to accord high priority to the promotion of ASEAN - EC joint ventures. In the field of human resources development, the Foreign Ministers took note that the operational details on the establishment of the ASEAN - EC Management Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan would be submitted to the EC prior to the next JCC Meeting. The Foreign Ministers stressed the need for close consultations between ASEAN and the EC on the Uruguay Round.

42.   The Foreign Ministers noted the outcome of the Ninth Meeting of ASEAN - Japan Forum in Melaka, Malaysia on 22-23 July 1987. They also expressed the view that ASEAN - Japan cooperative activities have proceeded well in both economic and development fields. They however expressed the view that Japan could further improve its market opening measures to enable ASEAN countries to gain greater access, especially for their manufactured and semi-manufactured goods. They also urged Japan to take effective measures that could relieve the problem relating to the appreciation of the Yen faced by some member countries. The Foreign Ministers stressed the need for close consultation between ASEAN and Japan on the Uruguay Round.

43.   The Foreign Ministers expressed appreciation for Japan's initiative in establishing the ASEAN-Japan Development Fund (AJDF). They also welcomed Japan's announcement to launch the "Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Exchange Programme" (JACEP) which was aimed at promoting exchanges in a variety of fields among the six ASEAN countries and Japan.

44.   In noting the positive trend in ASEAN - New Zealand relations, the Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made on various cooperative projects and New Zealand's increased interest in promoting trade and investment cooperation with ASEAN. They welcomed New Zealand's initiative to launch two programmes namely Trade and Investment Promotion Programme (TIPP) and Inter-institutional Linkages Programme (IILP) as important areas for future cooperation. They expressed the hope that these two programmes will bring mutual benefits to both ASEAN and New Zealand. The Foreign Ministers stressed the need for close consultation between ASEAN and New Zealand on the Uruguay Round.

45.   The Foreign Ministers noted the constructive result of the 8th ASEAN - US Dialogue on 10-11 February 1988 in Washington, D. C. They expressed satisfaction with the efforts undertaken by both sides to further improve the dialogue relations. They expressed the view that the Joint Study on ASEAN - US Economic Relations, to be launched soon, would enable the two sides to examine the modalities of the ASEAN - US Initiative (AUI). The Foreign Ministers noted with satisfaction the Presidential veto of the Omnibus Trade Bill and urged the US Administration to resist legislation which would adversely affect trade relations between ASEAN and the US. They expressed the hope that the US would work closely with ASEAN to ensure the success of the Uruguay Round.

46.   The Foreign Ministers noted that immediately after the Post Ministerial Conferences of the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, there will be a rotation of the coordinating countries of the ASEAN Dialogues for a period of three years.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ISSUES

47.   In reviewing the international economic environment, the Foreign Ministers noted that the global economic situation is still characterized by imbalances, rising protectionism, foreign debt problems, volatility in the exchange rates, unfair trade practices, subsidized programmes, instability in the prices of commodities, and agricultural products. In this regard, the Foreign Ministers stressed the need for closer and concrete cooperation between the developed and developing countries in achieving a sound international economy.

48.   The Foreign Ministers noted the progress in the Uruguay Round and reaffirmed their commitment to work towards the attainment of the objectives laid down at Punta del Este. They also expressed the conviction that an open international trading system is fundamental for the sustained economic growth of all countries. The Foreign Ministers called on all participants in the negotiations to make concerted effort to overcome international trade problems through trade liberalization and the strengthening of the multilateral trade system. They also stressed that the commitment to the principles of standstill and rollback must be strictly adhered to.

49.   The Foreign Ministers noted that world trade in agriculture has been adversely distorted by massive and excessive farm supports and subsidies, especially among major industrialized countries. They emphasized that the problem needed to be tackled at its root, particularly by phasing out all distorting measures on agricultural trade at the earliest. The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their belief that progress in this sector is an important element to the overall success of the Uruguay Round as well as to the promotion of the world agricultural trade. They expressed the view that the Cairns Group's recommendations could be a basis for solutions to the global agricultural trade problem.

50.   The Foreign Ministers reiterated the importance that ASEAN attaches to the negotiations on tropical products and to its desire to achieve early results in the negotiations. They called upon all parties concerned to adopt a more positive attitude in the negotiations on tropical products and to take into account the interests of developing countries.

51.   The Foreign Ministers welcomed the convening of the Mid-Term Review Conference of the Uruguay Round at Ministerial Level in Montreal in December 1988. They expressed the hope that this Review would generate the necessary political impetus to make the negotiations successful, as well as stimulate progress towards the achievement of the negotiating objectives. They called for early agreements on Agriculture, Dispute Settlement, Tariff and Non-tariff Measures, Safeguards, and Functioning of the GATT System. The Ministers reiterated that Tropical Products should be accorded fast track status as contained in the Punta del Este Ministerial Declaration.

52.   The Foreign Ministers reiterated that the Principle of Special and Differential Treatment (S&D) for developing countries should be applied to all aspects of the Uruguay Round.

53.   The Foreign Ministers expressed concern over the instability in commodity prices and export earnings of the developing countries. They also expressed concern on the activities undertaken by certain groups in the major industrialized countries against the various commodities particularly on tropical vegetable oils and tropical timber. The Ministers called on the governments of the countries concerned to take steps to end such activities which have the effect of restricting the exports of ASEAN's commodities. They agreed that concerted international efforts should be exerted towards findings ways and means to bring about growth, diversification and expansion of international commodity trade. The Ministers also called on all parties concerned to ratify the International Natural Rubber Agreement 1987 before 1 January 1989 so that it could enter into force as scheduled.

54.   The Foreign Ministers noted that satisfactory progress had been made in the ratification process of the Agreement Establishing the Common Fund for Commodities and were confident that the Agreement will enter into force soon.

55.   The Foreign Ministers expressed concern over the problems of the international exchange rate realignment and the foreign debt burden of developing countries. They called for coordinated efforts by major industrialized countries towards achieving stable exchange rate relationships among their respective currencies. The Foreign Ministers also stressed that a lasting solution to the debt problem could not be realized unless the industrialized countries provide crucial support by eliminating protectionism, increasing financial assistance on concessional terms, and adopting sound fiscal and monetary policies.

56.   The Foreign Ministers noted that ASEAN had presented an ASEAN Memorandum to the Toronto Summit, outlining its positions on major international economic issues. They welcomed the desire by the Summit to achieve successful negotiations on the Mid-Term Review. They were also satisfied that the Toronto Summit supported the efforts to adopt a framework approach, including short and long term goals to reduce all direct and indirect subsidies and other measures affecting agricultural trade.

57.   The Foreign Ministers reiterated ASEAN's commitment to intensify joint efforts to deal with international economic issues. They also reaffirmed ASEAN's determination to promote close economic cooperation among developing countries in order to accelerate and strengthen South-South cooperation.

DISARMAMENT

58.   The Foreign Ministers expressed their deep concern over the continuing world-wide escalation of the arms race which affects the peace and security of all nations. They were of the view that the effectiveness of all efforts to achieve genuine disarmament require sincere cooperation among all states, especially the two superpowers, and believed that the progress in this field could enhance the goal of disarmament in favor of development. They noted with satisfaction the ratification of the INF Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union as a significant step in arms control and confidence building. They also welcomed the renewed flexibility demonstrated by both superpowers towards achieving a new arms agreement on the reduction of strategic missile arsenals by 50 per cent.

59.   The Foreign Ministers expressed their deep regret that the recently concluded Third Special Session of the General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament (SSOD III) failed to adopt a final document of the Conference.

WEST ASIA

60.   The Foreign Ministers viewed with concern the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict. They reiterated their full support for the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination, and the restoration of Arab sovereignty over their occupied territories. The Foreign Ministers called for renewed efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement by negotiations. Towards this end, they expressed support for the convening of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations uprising in the occupied territory underlined need for the achievement of the settlement.

61.   The Foreign Ministers renewed their appeal for an end to the Iran - Iraq conflict, and called its just and honourable solution.

62.   The Foreign Ministers welcomed the signing of the Geneva accords which was a major step towards a peaceful political settlement Afghanistan taking into account of the right self-determination of the Afghan people and the establishment of a sovereign, independent and no aligned Afghanistan. The Foreign Ministers strongly urged all parties concerned to strict observe and implement the accords in good faith as to achieve the common objectives and to create favourable conditions which would be conducive to the safe return of all Afghan refugees to their homeland.

63.   The Foreign Ministers also express appreciation for the constructive role played the Secretary-General of the United Nations a his special representatives, Mr. Diego Cordovez, bringing about the accords.

64.   In this connection, the Foreign Ministers expressed the hope that the accords would significant a positive precedent for resolving other regional conflicts.

ASEAN SECRETARIAT

65.   The Foreign Ministers approved the bud of the ASEAN Secretariat for the financial year 1988 / 1989. They commended the ASE Standing Committee for its continued endeavor to find effective means to improve the efficiency of the ASEAN Secretariat.

TWENTY-SECOND ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING

66.   The Foreign Ministers agreed that the 22nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting be held in Bandar Seri Begawan on 7-8 July 1989.

67.   The Delegations of Brunei Darussalam Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore expressed their sincere and deep appreciation the Government and people of the Kingdom Thailand for their warm and generous hospitality and excellent facilities and the very efficient arrangements made for the Meeting.

68.   The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN friendship and solidarity.