The ASEAN Task Force, established by the Fifteenth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in June 1982 to undertake a comprehensive review and appraisal of ASEAN cooperation, presented its recommendations to the Foreign Ministers in June 1983. The ASEAN Senior Officials studied the Task Force Report and submitted their recommendations to the ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers for consideration. The Economic Ministers at their Sixteenth Meeting in May 1984 have decided on the recommendations under their purview. The Foreign Ministers at their Seventeenth Meeting in July 1984 decided on the Task Force Report.

A major milestone in ASEAN's progress was the completion of the first ASEAN Industrial Project (AIP) in Indonesia, namely, the ASEAN Aceh Fertilizer Project. It was officially inaugurated in January 1984 by the President of the Republic of lndonesia with the presence of the ASEAN Economic Ministers.

ASEAN continued to adopt a joint stand and common approach on international economic issues, ASEAN's inputs on the international economic issues of vital interest were presented to the London Summit of the seven principal industrialized nations in June 1984. ASEAN expressed its views on trade liberalization, the proposed new round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, problems relating to commodity export, debt problems and high interest rate.

Economic cooperation remained an important aspect of ASEAN cooperation. The Sixteenth ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting's decision in Jakarta in May 1984, to apply the 20 percent to 25 percent across-the-board tariff cut on all items with import value beyond US$ 10 million, will not only substantially increase the number of items already under the ASEAN Preferential Trading Arrangements (PTA), but also adds impetus to trade liberalization within ASEAN.

In industrial cooperation, besides the completion of the ASEAN Aceh Fertilizer Project in Indonesia, the signing by the Foreign Ministers in November 1983 of the Basic Agreement on ASEAN Industrial Joint Ventures (BAAIJV) was another important development. Under the Agreement, the private sector of any two ASEAN member countries is encouraged to enter into joint venture under the BAAIJV scheme in order to enjoy special tariff concession. The Economic Ministers also approved the list of products for inclusion in the first package of the Scheme. Trade in some products included in the First Package of Existing Approved Automotive Components, under the ASEAN Industrial Complementation Scheme, was carried out between some member countries.

The ASEAN Urea Project in Malaysia reached an advanced stage of construction. International tender's for the ASEAN Copper Fabrication Project in the Philippines have been issued, whilst the ASEAN Rock Salt-Soda Ash Project in Thailand had undergone the feasibility study stage, The Sixteenth Economic Ministers Meeting also approved the ASEAN Vaccine Project (Singapore) thus completing the first package of five ASEAN industrial projects. The Economic Ministers further initialled on 9 May 1984 the Supplementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on ASEAN Industrial Projects on the ASEAN Vaccine Project (Singapore).

Notable achievements were registered in the agricultural field where there was emphasis on training, research and development activities. Cooperation continued in power utilization, human resources development, science and technology, food-related projects and research in non- conventional energy and energy conservation. The first issue of the ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology was published in January 1984. In social development, progress was made in the field of education and population programme. In health and nutrition, the Third ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in March 1984, Pattaya, Thailand, stressed the need for strengthening collaboration in this field. Cooperation in drug and narcotics control intensified. A Mobile Seminar on National Druq. Problems held in January-February 1984 undertook studies on several subjects related to drugs control in some ASEAN countries. In culture and information, the highlights were the holding of the Thirteenth ASEAN Film Festival in September 1983 in Malaysia and the Sixth ASEAN Cultural Exchange of Radio and Television Artistes Programme in April 1984 in Singapore. Artistes from Brunei Darussalam participated in the programme for the first time. Marked progress was achieved in the training of artistes and media personnel.

In the area of post and telecommunications, the third sector of the ASEAN Submarine Cable project linking Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand was completed in September 1983. The fourth sector between Thailand and the Philippines is being actively considered.

During the year, dialogue meetings were held with Australia, the European Community, New Zealand, the United States and UNDP. The main topics discussed included Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), market access and commodities, as well as the review of on-going projects and the identification of new areas of cooperation. Fresh commitments were made by some of the dialogue partners. Cooperation also continued in the area of finance and banking, transport and communication, science and technology, industry, mineral and energy, culture and information, food, agriculture and forestry.

The first ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology was held in Tokyo in December 1983.

The ASEAN Trade Ministers also held talks in Manila with the United States Trade Representative in April 1984 during which economic issues important to ASEAN were discussed.

In the private sector, the ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASEAN CCI) had also made significant contributions to ASEAN cooperation. In particular, intensive efforts were made to facilitate the implementation of AIJV projects. Other areas of cooperation were in intra-ASEAN trade, agriculture, food and forestry and in the commercial field where the various CCI committees and sub-committees and specialized groups worked actively to enhance ASEAN cooperation. The inauguration of ASEAN - EC Business Council was held in Jakarta in November 1983. ASEAN - Australia, ASEAN - Japan and ASEAN - US Business Councils also met during the year.

Seven ASEAN non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were approved for affiliation with ASEAN.

In the political field, ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN). However, ASEAN considered the Kampuchean problem the major source of tension and instability in Southeast Asia and a serious obstacle to the realization of ZOPFAN.

ASEAN continued to make concerted efforts at the United Nations and other international fora in seeking a political solution to the Kampuchean problem. The ASEAN Appeal for Kampuchean Independence of September 1983 has been well received by the international community. In the Appeal, ASEAN called for phased territorial withdrawal of Vietnamese forces from Kampuchea which would lead to a total withdrawal within a definite period. The Appeal also proposed that all Kampucheans should participate in self-determination and that all political groups should be encouraged to work towards national reconciliation.

ASEAN noted with satisfaction the steady strengthening of, and increased international support for the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK) under the Presidency of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, ASEAN continued its efforts to encourage wider international support for the CGDK.

In summary, the year under review was a fruitful and successful year for ASEAN with marked achievements in many fields. Steady economic progress and satisfactory growth rates were registered by ASEAN despite the adverse effects of long worldwide recession. ASEAN political cohesion was manifested by its united effort in seeking a solution to the Kampuchean problem.

ASEAN continued to be acknowledged,by the international community as a successful example of a viable and dynamic regional organization.