SINCE THE last ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN has met with three of its dialogue partners, namely Japan, the European Community, the United States and Canada. These meetings were held to review the progress of existing projects under the aegis of the Dialogues, to consider proposals for new projects and to exchange views on various international economic issues.
ASEAN met with the European Commission in Brussels on 19-20 October 1981 for the Second Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting while informal consultations were held between ASEAN Ministers and the Commission on 15 October 1981. ASEAN Foreign Ministers had earlier met the Foreign Ministers of EEC member states in London on 13 October 1981.
The Meeting of the JCC discussed the progress of projects on Commercial, Economic, Development Cooperation and other fields of cooperation.
In the commercial field, it was noted that the Working Group on Trade Issues, established during the first JCC meeting, had been useful as a forum for consultations between ASEAN and the Community on trade issues.
On GSP, the Council of the European Communities had adopted the 1982 GSP scheme. A seminar on the 1982 EEC GSP scheme was held in Thailand in January 1982 with assistance from the Community. The ASEAN Trade Promotion Program for 1982 was also adopted at the Second ASEAN-EEC Trade Promotion Meeting in Manila in October 1981.
ASEAN and the EC also agreed to continue cooperation in the field of commodities. They also recognized the importance of stabilising the international market for sugar and in immediately ratifying the International Rubber Agreement. The early realization of a Common Fund was also recognized as needing continued support from both regions. ASEAN urged the Community to sign and ratify the 6th International Tin Agreement (ITA) and to ensure continued access for vegetable oil into its markets.
On Economic Cooperation, a sectoral conference on machine tools and process machinery has been proposed to be held in Manila in 1982. At the same time, an EEC-ASEAN Business Council has been created between ASEAN and European Chambers of Commerce. Investment opportunities in ASEAN and the Community shall be a subject for EABC' s consideration.
A framework for the development of future programmes in training has also been formulated and adopted by the JCC.
In the field of science and technology, measures to implement the programme of cooperation in this field between the two regions has been undertaken, Senior EEC officials had met with the COST in Bangkok on 12-13 March 1981 to determine the mode of funding and the programme of activities.
The Community stated that consideration would be given to future ASEAN regional project proposals with a view to enlarging the spectrum of sectors of cooperation and ensuring an adequate flow of financing.
New areas of cooperation were established between ASEAN and the Community. Insurance authorities from the two regions have agreed to facilitate and support cooperative programmes to be defined in this field. The area of social development, culture, and information were also identified as areas where appropriate mechanisms to facilitate cooperation within the competence of each party should be encouraged.
In the financial area, the ASEAN Finance
Cooperation and INTERACT, have met and had
agreed to establish a Joint Committee that would
facilitate the mobilization of capital for financing
ASEAN projects.
For more information, please refer to the project details
