The interest of ASEAN's dialogue partners in political engagement with Southeast Asia through ASEAN remained high. Other countries continued to seek such engagement, knocking on ASEAN's doors and asking for dialogue partnership. Other regional and international organizations' desire for relations with ASEAN intensified.
Meanwhile, for one reason or another, several of the dialogue partners exhibited a diminished willingness to expend resources for development cooperation with ASEAN as a region and even with individual members. Nevertheless, for those with the willingness to cooperate, development cooperation with ASEAN was pursued with sharper focus, using the Hanoi Plan of Action as a mandate and a guide.
In May 1999, the Secretariat convened the ASEAN Development Cooperation Forum (ADCF) to rally support for the Hanoi Plan of Action from dialogue partners and other entities interested in it. The forum offered a venue for those partners to indicate their interest in specific projects lined up in the HPA. A second ADCP may be organized in 2001.
At the same time, new ways of cooperation emerged, with the US-ASEAN Business Council taking up the slack in ASEAN-US relations and the ASEAN+3 forum with the three Northeast Asian countries gathering momentum. Cooperation with United Nations agencies other than UNDP and with non-governmental foundations was stepped up.
In this light, a Special Directors-General Working Group was convened in Bagan, Myanmar, in January 2000 to work out ways to streamline and invigorate ASEAN's external relations. One recommendation was to extend the moratorium on dialogue partnerships in view of the need to consolidate the dialogue system and the limitations on ASEAN's manpower financial resources. The Working Group agreed to refine the criteria for dialogue partnership and adjust the mechanism for each dialogue. It recommended improvements in the conduct of the Post-Ministerial Conferences.
Cooperation in East Asia
Cooperation in East Asia has been gradually evolving in the context of the ASEAN+3 process. The long-term and strategic agenda for cooperation was laid down in the Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation, which was adopted by the leaders of ASEAN, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in November 1999. The Joint Statement outlined the areas for cooperation: (a) economic and social issues; (b) monetary and financial matters; (c) social and human resources development; (d) scientific and technical development; (e) culture and information; (f) development cooperation; and (g) political and transnational issues.
Noting how their collective efforts and cooperation agenda support and complement the initiatives of various multilateral fora, the East Asian leaders agreed to intensify coordination and cooperation in international and regional fora such as the UN, WT0, APEC, ASEM, and the ARF, as well as in regional and international financial institutions.
Supporting the leaders are ministerial and official-level mechanisms. The ASEAN+3 Trade Ministers met in May 2000. The Finance and Central Bank deputies of the East Asian states met in March 2000 in Brunei Darussalam, and the Finance Ministers convened in Chiang Mai on 6 May 2000. An ASEAN+3 Senior Officials Meeting was held in May 2000 in Bangkok. An ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers Meeting will be held formally for the first time in July 2000 in Bangkok.
The East Asia Vision Group (EAVG), consisting of eminent persons from ASEAN and the Northeast Asian countries, was established in October 1999 to obtain the views of the broader constituency of East Asia. The EAVG will be presenting its report to the ASEAN+3 Summit in 2001.
Dialogue Relations
ASEAN-Australia
To broaden the scope of cooperation, ASEAN and Australia agreed to include political and security issues at the ASEAN-Australia Forum, while maintaining its current structure and format. Discussions at previous meetings were confined to economic matters and development cooperation.
Australia approved a new phase of the current ASEAN-Australia Economic Cooperation Program (AAECP) with a budget of A$ 45 million. ASEAN and Australia engaged in consultations to determine common priorities and preferences for the new phase. As a result of these consultations, the name of the program was changed to the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program (AADCP) to reflect its broader scope. The Ad Hoc Working Group on the Development of the AADCP met three times to develop projects for the new Programme.
An AFTA-CER Free Trade Area Task Force was established to study the feasibility of establishing a linkage between the two free trade areas.
ASEAN-Canada
ASEAN proposed the downsizing of the ASEAN-Canada Joint Planning and Monitoring Committee (JPMC) to be composed of the current and future country coordinators, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Canada. This simplified arrangement is expected to facilitate the utilization of the unexpended funds under the Regional Training Programme (RTP). ASEAN is working for the early accession of all new member countries to the ASEAN-Canada Economic Cooperation Agreement (ACECA) as well as the RTP.
ASEAN-China
The ASEAN-China Senior Officials Consultations continued to be an important forum to discuss political and security issues of common concern and interest. An ASEAN-China Working Group has also been established under the purview of the Senior Officials to work on the development of an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. ASEAN-China consultations on the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone Treaty continued. The ASEAN-China Senior Officials Consultations took place in Kuching on 25-26 April 2000.
Cooperation in trade, science and technology has expanded considerably. ASEAN and China agreed to formulate a framework for an economic and trade development programme at the 2nd ASEAN-China Economic and Trade Seminar in September 2000.
The volume of trade is gradually rebounding. From January to September 1999, the total trade volume between China and ASEAN countries stood at US$18.98 billion, up by 14.1 percent over the same period in 1998. Two-way trade between ASEAN and China reached US$27 billion in 1999.
In the area of development cooperation, ASEAN and China completed two programmes. The first was the Personnel Exchange Programme, under which 21 delegates from China visited the Philippines, Singapore and Viet Nam. The second was a workshop on Understanding Modern China, held in April 2000 in China. Several other cooperation activities were planned: ASEAN and Chinese scientists cooperation, aimed at bringing together scientists from ASEAN and China to discuss cooperation activities/formulate project proposals; the 2nd ASEAN-China Joint S&T Committee; Workshop on Remote Sensing Cooperation; ASEAN-China Workshop on Transgenic Plants; the 2nd ASEAN-China Trade and Investment Seminar and ASEAN-China Workshop on Seismology.
ASEAN-European Union
After a lapse of more than three years, the ASEAN-EC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting was held on 24-27 May 1999. The ASEAN-EU Senior Officials Meeting took place in Lisbon on 26 June 2000.
The JCC adopted the ASEAN-EU Work Programme for Future Actions. Under the programme, ASEAN and the EU would be undertaking activities in trade facilitation, standards and conformance, intellectual property rights, customs, trade in services, investment, environment, energy, human development, science and technology and business cooperation. ASEAN and EU also agreed to establish an Informal Coordinating Mechanism to monitor and coordinate the implementation of all cooperation activities, including the Work Programme. The first meeting of the coordinating mechanism was held in October 1999 in Brussels. Both sides found the meeting to be a useful and practical means to further ASEAN-EU cooperation and in monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the Work Programme.
To enhance economic cooperation, the first ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) and EU Consultations were held in October 1999. ASEAN and EU exchanged views on international economic issues as well as trade and investment developments between ASEAN and the EU. The second consultations were scheduled for the second half of 2000. The EU would be invited to the GATS Seminar to be organised by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Services in June 2000 in Bangkok.
Two experts meeting were held: the Third ASEAN-EC Ad Hoc IPR Experts Meeting on 28 April 2000 in Singapore and the ASEAN Experts Committee on Customs Matters (ECCM) consultations with the EC on 27 April 2000 in Jakarta. The Experts Meeting on IPR provided a platform for both sides to discuss how to increase understanding between ASEAN and the EU countries in intellectual property, trademarks, patents and copyright. Both sides are also implementing the ASEAN-EC IPR Cooperation Programme. ASEAN and EU were also poised to commence their cooperation in standards and conformity assessment with the signing of the Regional Economic Cooperation Programme on Standards, Quality and Conformity Assessment in December 1998 and a number of bilateral agreements with ASEAN member countries.
Cooperation in the energy sector had been one of the longstanding areas for collaboration with the EU. A Financing Agreement is being worked out to implement a new phase of the Technology Transfer for Energy Cogeneration from Biomass in ASEAN Countries (COGEN) and for the ASEAN-EC Energy Cooperation Programme.
The first meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Environment was held on 23-24 November 1999 in Brussels. Cooperation in science and technology would also be explored at the Second Meeting of the Sub-committee on S&T to be held on the fringes of the COST meeting in October 2000.
A Financing Agreement on the ASEAN-EU University Network Programme was signed in January 2000. The ASEAN-EC Management Centre in Brunei Darussalam continued to offer management training courses.
ASEAN-India
ASEAN-India development cooperation has been expanding considerably. The 3rd ASEAN-India Joint Cooperation Committee, in its meeting on 21-22 March 2000 in New Delhi, contributed to this trend.
ASEAN-India cooperation in science and technology, information technology, and human resources development was further strengthened with the establishment of the ASEAN-India Working Group. A meeting of the Working Group is scheduled in March 2000. The ASEAN-India Joint Cooperation Committee agreed that the scope of discussion of the Working Group should be expanded to cover issues such as tariffs, non-tariff barriers, trade policies, investment regulations and SME cooperation. A joint study on "AFTA-India Linkages for the Enhancement of Trade and Investment" has been commissioned to identify ways to bolster economic ties between ASEAN and India.
The ASEAN-India Working Group on Science and Technology (AIWGST) explored cooperation in the areas of advanced materials, such as rare earth magnets and surface engineering, animal and plant biotechnology and space technology. A sub-committee will be established under the AIWGST to enhance cooperation in electronics and information technology. ASEAN and India are also considering the establishment of a working group on transport and infrastructure.
This year's ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Lecture Series was held on 26 February 2000 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. It featured Dr. C. Rangarajan, former Governor of Reserve Bank of India and presently Governor of Andhra Pradesh, who spoke on "Exchange Rate Management and Capital Flows - Lessons from India and East Asia."
ASEAN-Japan
Japan initiated a series of consultations called "Toward Vision 2020: ASEAN-Japan Consultation Conference on the Realization of the Hanoi Plan of Action." The series has the following objectives: to promote a deeper understanding of new developments in the region and of each other; to generate new dynamics and seek new modalities in ASEAN-Japan relations from the mid- and longer-term perspectives; to prepare for ASEAN-Japan cooperation in the 21st century; to study ways in which ASEAN-Japan cooperation may be harnessed for the realization of the HPA; and to form an intellectual network of academic and private circles between ASEAN and Japan. The first consultation conference was held on 11-13 October 1999 in Ha Noi, and the second on 26-28 March 2000 in Nara. The third conference will focus on finalizing the package of proposals to be submitted to the next ASEAN-Japan Summit.
Japan had dispatched the Mission for the Revitalization of Asian Economy, which toured the region from August 27 to September 7 1999. The mission visited South Korea, Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The mission's objectives included: (a) to study the issues and needs facing Asian countries, two years after the currency crisis, as they began to show signs of recovery; (b) to assess the $80 billion aid program of Japan, including the Miyazawa Initiative; and (c) to identify, in light of the currency crisis, the issues that Asia must address in order to prosper in the 21st century and the role that Japan has to play. The Mission has submitted its recommendations to the appropriate bodies.
At the ASEAN-3 and ASEAN+1 Informal Summit Meetings in Manila, Japan presented the Obuchi Plan, which encompassed a broad range of development cooperation activities in the area of human resource development, information technology, cooperation in the Hanoi Plan of Action and capacity building for the newer Member Countries of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat. Discussions on the implementation of the Obuchi Plan are ongoing, with the groundwork laid at the 3rd ASEAN-Japan Consultative Group Meeting.
ASEAN-Republic of Korea
ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (ROK) convened the 1st Meeting of the Joint Planning and Review Committee in April 1999 to review development cooperation activities and to improve the utilization of ASEAN-ROK Special Cooperation Fund (SCF). A revised Project Proposal Approval Procedure and other measures were adopted to ensure timely project implementation and effective utilization of the SCF. At the same time, the ASEAN-ROK Eminent Persons Group has submitted its report on the future directions for ASEAN-ROK cooperation.
At the 2nd Meeting of the ASEAN-ROK JPRC in May 2000, the ROK expressed its support for the ASEAN Vision 2020 and the implementation of the HPA. The 2nd ASEAN-ROK JPRC agreed on the importance of matching development cooperation with ASEAN's priorities, including facilitating the integration of ASEAN's newer Member Countries into ASEAN's existing economic cooperation schemes. In this context, the ROK indicated that it would consider positively projects that would facilitate ASEAN's economic integration.
During the JPRC meeting, the ROK requested that the ASEAN-ROK Dialogue include an exchange of views on political and security issues in the region. The ASC 4/33 subsequently agreed to this request, with the understanding that this would be done within existing frameworks and did not necessarily require upgrading the representation to SOM level.
ASEAN-New Zealand
The 7th Meeting of the ASEAN-New Zealand Economic Cooperation Programme (ANZECP) was convened in February 2000. At this meeting, ASEAN and New Zealand agreed that a new direction should be developed, possibly focusing on ASEAN's economic recovery and integration, the social impact of the financial crisis, science and technology and environment, and human resource development. Specific areas of focus could include SMEs, tourism, women, youth and health.
ASEAN-Russia
The 2nd ASEAN-Russia Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting (ARJCC) was held on 11-12 June 2000 in Jakarta. The Meeting agreed to undertake, as an initial step, practical and small-scale activities to move forward the dialogue process. ASEAN and Russia agreed to initiate cooperation in the economic, scientific and technological fields based on the HPA. The 2nd ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials Meeting was convened in Ho Chi Minh City in October 1999 as a forum for ASEAN and Russia to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest.
The First ASEAN-Russia Business Forum was held in Kuala Lumpur on 13 April 2000. The Business Forum aims to increase the level of trade and investment between the ASEAN and Russian private sectors.
ASEAN-United States
The 15th ASEAN-US Dialogue was held on 24-25 May 2000 in Kuala Lumpur. The Meeting exchanged views on economic, social, the environment, and regional and international security issues. At this meeting, ASEAN and the U.S. agreed to enter into agricultural cooperation through an exchange of letters. The Meeting also agreed to continue cooperation in transboundary haze prevention. The U.S. expressed support for the Hanoi Plan of Action as an important regional strategy. The U.S. reaffirmed the important role of the private sector in advancing ASEAN-US relations.
Apart from the formal dialogue forums (PMC and the ASEAN-US Dialogue), the US-ASEAN Business Council has become the principal conduit for ASEAN-US relations. The Council had productive consultations with the ASEAN Economic Ministers in October 1999. It took a central role in organizing the ASEAN joint investment promotion mission to the United States in May 2000.
The Council has initiated a HRD programme through the US-ASEAN Centre for Technology Cooperation based in Manila. The programme will support training needs identified by the ASEAN public and private sectors, which coincide with the interests and capabilities of the U.S. private sector.
The U.S. is pursuing an initiative, in consultation with the ASEAN Secretariat, of establishing a Centre/Network for the Assessment and Promotion of Environmentally Sound Technologies in the region, which could be the first collaborative activity between ASEAN and the U.S. under the HPA. On standards and conformity assessment, the U.S. and the ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality will hold a meeting in 2000 to explore possible areas for cooperation.
The U.S. continued to support ASEAN's efforts in fighting the haze and in adopting clean technologies for sustainable growth. The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service (USFS) is assisting ASEAN in its forest-fire response and capacity building. A series of activities were undertaken by the USFS experts to develop the Fire Suppression Mobilisation Plans for the severely affected areas of Riau and South Sumatra.
ASEAN-UNDP
ASEAN and UNDP commenced the implementation of the Sixth Cycle of the ASEAN-UNDP Sub-programme (ASP-6) to assist ASEAN in its economic recovery, support efforts to address the social impact of the financial crisis, and build and strengthen the institutional capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat. Two sub-programmes were launched under the ASP-6 namely, the Sub Programme on Support to Monitor and Facilitate ASEAN Economic Recovery and Sub-programme on ASEAN Institutional Development.
Sectoral Dialogue Relations
ASEAN-Pakistan
In an effort to generate cooperation activities between ASEAN and Pakistan, the first meeting of the ASEAN-Pakistan Joint Business Council and Trade Facilitation Workshop were held in Karachi on 21-22 February 2000. Both sides acknowledged the potentials for economic cooperation and agreed to develop more cooperation activities. In order to facilitate trade between ASEAN and Pakistan, the Joint Business Council Meeting recommended that information on trade, customs procedures and taxation structures should be exchanged. It also recommended trade delegation visits, trade fairs and the easing of visa restriction. The Trade Facilitation Workshop suggested several measures to enhance trade and investment between ASEAN and Pakistan.
Relations With Other Organizations
ASEAN continued to build working relations with several specialized agencies of the United Nations, such as the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Health Organization, and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
The first ever ASEAN-UN Summit was held in Bangkok on 12 February 2000. The ASEAN Leaders and the UN Secretary-General agreed that ASEAN complemented the activities of the United Nations. The UN Secretary-General stated that there was room to expand and deepen the relationship between the two organizations. He said that the two organizations have yet to establish a structured way to collaborate in promoting regional peace and stability. The UN, he said, would be ready to take part in the official and informal discussions of the ASEAN Regional Forum. Finally, the United Nations recognized the important support extended by ASEAN on the restoration of peace in East Timor.
ASEAN continued to engage other regional organizations to exchange views on issues of common interest and undertake mutually beneficial projects. ASEAN Foreign Ministers met their counterparts from the Rio Group, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in New York during the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly in September 1999.
ASEAN attended the 5th Consultative Meeting among Executive Heads of Subregional Organizations and ESCAP held in Bangkok on 7-8 June 2000. In May 2000, an ASEAN-Andean Community Symposium was held in Bangkok.
