ASEAN's relations with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (the CLM Countries) intensified during the course of the year under review as preparations for their entry into ASEAN entered the final phase.
On the occasion of the First Informal Summit 1996, the ASEAN Heads of Government met with the Heads of Government of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to discuss issues relevant to the Southeast Asian region. Prior to their meeting, the Heads of Government of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar made a historic visit to the ASEAN Secretariat where the Secretary-General of ASEAN briefed them on ASEAN affairs.
As part of their preparations, the CLM countries established the equivalent of ASEAN National Secretariats in their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Also established during the preparatory stage was a National AFTA Unit in each of these countries to ensure that the adjustments required by AFTA were made smoothly and efficiently. The CLM countries also established new embassies in the various ASEAN capitals to enhance diplomatic channels of communication and cooperation.
The year also saw a number of senior officials from the line ministries in these countries being attached to the ASEAN Secretariat on short training stints. ASEAN, in turn, sent various delegations to the three countries to assess their needs, provide technical assistance and to undertake consultations. Among these delegations were those of the ASEAN Directors-General and SEOM. The ASEAN Secretary-General and several teams from the ASEAN Secretariat were also invited to visit the CLM countries for consultations and discussions on the various aspects of their preparations.
Economic and Transport Ministers from the CLM countries attended the AEM and ATM Meetings, respectively, as Observers. SEOM also held meetings with their counterparts from CLM on two occasions over the past year. The ASEAN Standing Committee held individual consultations with CLM at its meeting in Trengganu in March 1997. This was the first time that the CLM countries were invited to attend an ASC Meeting.
At a Special Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 10 July 1997, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers reviewed their May 1997 decision to admit CLM simultaneously during the 30th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 1997. Owing to the situation in Cambodia, the Foreign Ministers decided to postpone Cambodia's entry into the Association.
As Cambodia will continue to be an ASEAN Observer until her admission in due course, the ongoing preparations for her full membership will continue. Laos and Myanmar was admitted into the Assocation in July 1997 during the 30th AMM in Kuala Lumpur
Dialogue Partners
As ASEAN continued its efforts to reorient the Dialogue process towards equal partnership, the Association has been able to engage its Dialogue Partners on issues of mutual interest, such as international trade and investment-related issues. At the same time, ASEAN continued to place importance on development cooperation and assistance extended by most Dialogue Partners.
ASEAN's Dialogue relations expanded in 1996 with China, India and the Russian Federation being accorded full Dialogue Partner status in ASEAN. China and Russia began consultative relations with ASEAN in 1991, while India began as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 1993. With these developments, ASEAN now has 11 Dialogue Partners. Various institutional arrangements and mechanisms have been established with each of the new Dialogue Partners. ASEAN has formed Joint Consultative Committees with China, India and the Russian Federation. Mechanisms to promote trade and investment and science and technology cooperation have also been established. Private sector participation and business linkages are also being encouraged between ASEAN and the new Dialogue Partners.
Sectoral Dialogue
Sectoral Dialogue relations with Pakistan were formalised with the exchange of letters between the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan in June 1997. Talks will soon begin between the two sides to establish an ASEAN-Pakistan Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee.
Asia-Europe Meeting
ASEAN played a key role in driving forward the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). The ASEM Foreign Ministers, met for the first time in February 1997 in Singapore and reiterated their commitment to the new comprehensive Asia-Europe Partnership for Greater Growth forged by their leaders at the first ASEM Meeting held in Bangkok in March 1996.
The ASEM Foreign Ministers agreed that Asia-Europe cooperation should be multifaceted, encompassing all fields of human endeavour, including economics, politics, culture, education, environment and science and technology. In order to ensure a coordinated development of ASEM activities, the Ministers agreed to the early elaboration of an Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework outlining mechanisms and guidelines for cooperation and establishment of an Asia-Europe Vision group at ASEM II in 1998 to provide ideas for the development of the ASEM process into the next century. The ASEM Foreign Ministers also launched the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) based in Singapore.
Relations with Other Regions
Over the past year, contacts with other inter-governmental regional organisations were maintained and further developed. These included the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), Mercado Comun del Sur (MERCUSOR), the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Secretary-General of ASEAN made an official visit to Argentina and Brazil in March and April 1997 to work out a proposal for linkages between ASEAN and MERCUSOR. The visit was a follow-up to the informal consultations that had taken place between the Economic Ministers of both groupings during the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference held in Singapore in December 1996.
30th Anniversary Celebrations
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers at their annual meeting last year called on each Member Country to plan and organise year-long activities beginning 8 August 1997. The Ministers also called on the ASC to coordinate these activities at the national and regional levels with the participation of all the ASEAN committees and bodies.
The ASC agreed on a 30th ASEAN Anniversary logo with the theme, One ASEAN into the 21st Century, which would be used for all commemorative events and activities.
The celebrations started on 8 August 1997 with a reception in Jakarta, with HE President Soeharto, as ASEAN's eldest statesman as guest of honour. The highlight of the year's celebration will be the Commemorative Summit when the ASEAN Heads of Government meet in Kuala Lumpur in December 1997.
Having discussed the matter over the year, the ASC agreed that the other activities at the regional and national levels would include, among others, the following :