EAST ASIA ECONOMIC CAUCUS

373. ASEAN Member Countries, together with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, have continued discussions of mutual interest on an informal basis as had been agreed to at their informal meeting in Bangkok in July 1994. The areas covered included matters pertaining to the ASEAN Europe Meeting which was held in Bangkok from 1 - 2 March 1996, and the ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Cooperation.

374. As a follow-up to the 1995 Bangkok Summit pertaining to the Mekong Basin Development, all 11 ASEAN and non-ASEAN Mekong riparian states were present at a series of meetings called in May and June 1996 to discuss the concept of the cooperation. The Senior Officials' Meeting produced a Basic Framework on the ASEAN-Mekong. Basin Development Cooperation which was adopted by the Ministers in Kuala Lumpur on 18 June 1996. The Framework, inter alia, outlines the objectives, principles, and sectors of priority for the cooperation.

375. In addition, it established a Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of the cooperation. The Framework also provides for a meeting of Ministers on the cooperation at least once a year to be held back-to-back with the joint Ministerial Meetings of the ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers prior to the ASEAN Summit. Special Meetings of Ministers may be convened as required. The Kuala Lumpur Meeting also agreed to establish, under the Chairmanship of Thailand, an ASEAN and non-ASEAN Riparian States Experts Group to study appropriate modalities to mobilise funds for the cooperation. Furthermore, a Special Working Group, under the chairmanship of Malaysia, will study all issues on the proposed railway links between Singapore and Kunming.