The 43 rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM-43) wrapped up inHanoi on July 20 after adopting a joint communique with the theme"Enhanced Efforts t owards the ASEAN Community: from Vision toAction”.
Following is the full text of the jointcommunique:
INTRODUCTION
1.We, the Foreign Ministers of the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN), met at the 43 rd ASEAN Foreign MinistersMeeting (AMM) from 19-20 July 2010 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam . HisExcellency Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ForeignAffairs of Viet Nam and Chairman of ASEAN, chaired the Meeting. We hadextensive, open and fruitful discussions to advance further ASEAN’scommon efforts under the theme of the year 2010 “ Towards the ASEANCommunity: from Vision to Action ”.
2.His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republicof Viet Nam, attended the Opening Ceremony of the 43 rd AMM anddelivered his Opening Address.
3.Highlighting great achievements so far in moving towards the ASEANCommunity and important decisions made at the recent 16 th ASEAN Summitin Ha Noi, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung suggested 5 major areas thatASEAN Foreign Ministers could focus on, namely: i) undertaking concreteand feasible measures to accelerate the implementation of the Roadmapfor the ASEAN Community by 2015 and other important plans, bringing theASEAN Charter into full realisation as soon as possible and furtherpromoting the “compliance culture” to ensure effective and timelyimplementation of ASEAN’s agreements; ii) further enhancing the role ofASEAN as the primary driving force for dialogue and cooperation onregional political security issues with a view to maintaining regionalpeace and stability; iii) broadening and deepening ASEAN’s externalrelations through frameworks of ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, EAS and ARF, based onthe guiding principle of serving the objective of ASEAN Communitybuilding and maintaining ASEAN centrality; iv) intensifying cooperationand coordination at regional and international levels to effectivelyaddress global challenges, especially the current global financialcrisis, climate change, disaster management and disease control; v)enhancing ASEAN’s cohesiveness and unity, upholding ASEAN’s fundamentalprinciples and “ASEAN way” in handling all issues of concern.
ASEAN COMMUNITY BUILDING
4.We noted with appreciation the successful outcome of the 16 th ASEANSummit in Ha Noi on 8-9 April 2010, which gave strong impetus to theefforts of building a resilient, dynamic and sustained ASEAN Community.We reaffirmed our commitment to effectively implementing the decisionsmade by our Leaders, especially in expediting the process of ASEANCommunity building and maintaining ASEAN centrality in an evolvingregional architecture.
5. We were pleasedwith the significant progress made in implementing the Roadmap for ASEANCommunity and the ASEAN Charter and reaffirmed our strong commitment torealising the ASEAN Community by 2015, which is politically cohesive,economically integrated and socially responsible.
6.We welcomed the adoption of the Communication Plans of all thethree pillars of the ASEAN Community, and tasked the Committee ofPermanent Representatives to ASEAN ( CPR) to work in close coordinationwith the ASEAN Secretariat to come up with a Master Communication Plansynergising all the three Communication Plans in order to enhanceASEAN’s coordination to promote the people’s greater awareness andparticipation in the ASEAN Community building process.
ASEAN Charter
7. We welcomed thespeedy progress in implementing the ASEAN Charter, which constitutes thelegal and institutional framework for the ASEAN Community and beyond.We noted with pleasure the smooth and effective functioning of the neworgans and structures under the ASEAN Charter, especially the fourMinisterial Councils and the CPR.
8. Wenoted with satisfaction the significant progress of the work of the CPRin supporting ASEAN to become a more rules-based intergovernmentalorganisation by concluding various guidelines, terms of reference (TORs)and rules of procedures (ROPs). We were pleased to adopt the TORs andROP for the ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and InternationalOrganisations (ACTC) at this 43 rd AMM. We noted with appreciation thatthe Guidelines on the Use of the “ASEAN” name, Guidelines on the Use ofASEAN Emblem, Guidelines on the use of the ASEAN Anthem and the ASEANSecretariat Financial Rules and Procedure (AFRP) prepared by the CPRhave been adopted at the Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council(ACC) in April 2010. We encouraged the CPR to continue its importantwork in implementing the ASEAN Charter by finalising the remainingguidelines, TORs, and ROPs expeditiously.
9.We reaffirmed the role of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission onHuman Rights (AICHR) as the overarching institution for regionalcooperation in human rights. We commended the AICHR’s efforts infinalising the Five-year Work Plan (2010-2015), which would lay outrelevant practical programmes and activities for AICHR to carry out itsmandate and functions. In this connection, we approved the high priorityprogrammes and activities (2010-2011) of AICHR together with theindicative budget for that period, and requested AICHR to finalise andsubmit the indicative budget for the cycle of five years for us to adoptthe Five-Year Work Plan (2010-2015). We stressed the importance ofensuring the effective operation of AICHR and the proper alignment withAICHR of ACWC and other ASEAN sectoral bodies dealing with human rightsin conformity with the Terms of Reference of AICHR.
10.We were pleased with the progress that had been made indeveloping legal documents necessary for the full and effectiveimplementation of the Charter . We tasked the senior officials tocontinue to work on these remaining legal documents with the aim offinalizing them by the 17 th ASEAN Summit in October 2010.
11. We further stressed the importance of bringing theASEAN Charter into full realisation in all aspects while upholding theprinciples of the Charter, and therefore committed ourselves to workingclosely with relevant sectoral bodies in the three Community Councils toimprove the working methods and complete a full legal framework for theASEAN Charter.
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community
12.Noting with satisf action the significantprogress achieved in the implementation of the ASEANPolitical-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint , we agreed tofurther accelerate th e implementation process , particularlythe programmes/activities in the 14 priorit y areas . Weunderscored the importance of enhancing the coordination amongst thevarious sectoral bodies under this pillar to promote an integratedapproach in dealing with overlapping issues.
13.We were pleased to note that ASEAN Member States have beeneffectively implementing the programmes and measures of the ASEANEconomic Community (AEC) Blueprint with a view to achieving the AEC by2015. We called on ASEAN Member States to further intensify effortsin intra-ASEAN economic integration and in implementing all economicintegration commitments in accordance with the agreed timelines.
14. We noted with satisfaction r emarkable progressmade in the implementation of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)Blueprint, particularly in enhancing social welfare and development forwomen and children, responding to climate change and disasters,developing human resources, promoting ASEAN identity and awareness. Wewelcomed the outcome of the 3 rd ASCC Council Meeting, particularly thepractical measures which would raise the awareness of ASEAN in theregion and the world and create greater sense of belonging of ourpeoples to the ASEAN Community and protect our cultural identity anddiversity.
15. We welcomed the progress reportof the High Level Task Force on ASEAN Connectivity (HLTF-AC) and wereheartened to note that the HLTF-AC is on track for the completion of theMaster Plan on ASEAN Connectivity by the 17 th ASEAN Summit. Wethanked the partner agencies, namely the Economic Research Institute forASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), theUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP) and World Bank for the assistance rendered in the drafting ofthe Master Plan. We also called for support from our Dialogue Partners,international organisations and other partners, for the ASEANConnectivity Initiative and look forward to their future participationin the implementation of the Master Plan once it is adopted.
16. We were pleased with the progress in implementing theInitiative for ASEAN Integration ( IAI) Work Plan II (2009-2015).The effective implementation of the Work Plan, together with the threeASEAN Community Blueprints, will help move forward thecommunity-building process in a more balanced, inclusive and sustainablemanner. In this connection, we welcomed the outcome of the IAI TaskForce Meetings on the IAI Work Plan II. We encouraged Dialogue Partnersand Development Partners to actively contribute towards ensuring thefruitful outcome of the 3 rd IAI Development Cooperation Forum(IDCF-3) scheduled to be held later in 2010.
17.Fully aware of the great importance and necessity of narrowing thedevelopment gap among Member States in the ASEAN Community buildingprocess, we agreed to further intensify our efforts in narrowing thedevelopment gap in ASEAN to enhance ASEAN integration. Together with theimplementation of the IAI, we agreed to strengthen cooperation insub-regional areas including Mekong sub-regional frameworks (AMBDC,CLV, CLMV, ACMECS, GMS), BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, and others.
ASEAN Centrality in an Evolving Regional Architecture
18.We stressed the importance to maintain ASEAN centralityin the evolving regional architecture. To this end, we agreed tointensify our efforts to accelerate ASEAN’s integration and communitybuilding while proactively broadening and deepening ASEAN’s externalrelations and strengthening ASEAN’s role as the primary driving force inthe existing regional mechanisms . We reaffirmed our Leaders’guiding principles that any new regional framework or process should becomplementary to and built upon existing regional mechanisms and theprinciple of ASEAN centrality. We also emphasised the need to developASEAN’s common strategies and stance vis-à-vis important partners andimportant regional and global issues.
19. Weenvisaged that ASEAN Community building would contribute to the buildingof a community in the wider region. We also reiterated that theregional architecture should be inclusive and be able to sustain thedynamic equilibrium of the region. The regional architecture must beshaped by harmony and cooperation in promoting regional peace, stabilityand prosperity.
20. We welcomed theexpressed interest of the Russian Federation and the United Statesto join the East Asia Summit (EAS). We agreed to recommend to ASEANLeaders at the 17th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi in October 2010 to formallymake the decision on inviting the Russian Federation and the UnitedStates to join the EAS with appropriate arrangements and timing. Sucharrangements should be based on the promotion of existing EAS agenda andpriorities. In this connection, we reaffirmed ASEAN centrality as wellas the established objectives and principles of the EAS as a Leaders-ledforum.
21. We welcomed the outcome of the 4th A SEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) on 11 May 2010 in HaNoi which contributes to further strengthening defence dialogue andcooperation in ASEAN. In this connection, we supported the 4 thADMM’s decision to convene the first ADMM Plus in Ha Noi in October2010. We reaffirmed the importance of the ADMM Plus as an importantcomponent of a robust, effective, open and inclusive regional securityarchitecture that would complement the work of the ASEAN Regional Forumand help ensure ASEAN centrality in regional efforts to deal withsecurity issues.
ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY (APSC)
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia ( TAC)
22. We welcomed the accession by Canada and Turkeyto the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as astrong signal of their commitment to strengthening cooperation withASEAN and to peace and security in the region.
23.We welcomed the signing of the Third Protocol amending the TACscheduled to take place on 23 July 2010. The entry into force of theProtocol will provide a more inclusive nature to the TAC, enablingaccession by, not only states but also regional organisations whosemembers are Sovereign States. We looked forward to its fullratification by all the High Contracting Parties and the earlyaccession of EU/EC to the TAC once the Third Protocol enters intoforce.
24. Noting the request by some othercountries to accede to the TAC, we tasked our senior officials toconsider this matter in line with the Guidelines for Accession to theTAC and submit their recommendation to us. We further noted the need toimplement the APSC Blueprint in Strengthening Cooperation under the TAC.
Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone(SEANWFZ)
25. We underscored the importanceof preserving Southeast Asia as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and free ofall other weapons of mass destruction as enshrined in the ASEAN Charterand the SEANFWZ Treaty. We reviewed the implementation of the Plan ofAction to Strengthen the Treaty on the Southeast Asia NuclearWeapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and agreed to exert greater efforts to ensurethat various programmes and activities indicated in the Plan of Actionare carried out. We agreed to continue to engage with the Nuclear WeaponStates to encourage them to accede to the SEANWFZ Protocol as soon aspossible.
26. We noted with satisfaction theprogress in the implementation of the Plan of Action to strengthen theSEANWFZ Treaty by the adoption of the 64 th UNGA Resolution on SEANWFZ.We agreed that the threats of nuclear proliferation, wherever theirsources are, must be effectively addressed without discrimination or anydouble standard.
27. We commended Viet Namas the Chair of ASEAN in raising the profile of the SEANWFZ inmultilateral fora including the 2010 NPT Review Conference and the 2 ndConference of States Parties and Signatories to Treaties that establishNWFZ and Mongolia in New York this year and looked forward to theSEANWFZ interacting closely with interested Parties including otherNWFZs to promote the goals of the NPT in our region and beyond. Wewelcomed Indonesia as the incoming Chair of the SEANWFZ Commissionstarting from January 2011 and her initiation to ratify theComprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) .
South ChinaSea
28. We reaffirmed the importance of theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) as amilestone document between ASEAN and China , embodying the collectivecommitment to promoting peace, stability and mutual trust and toensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in the area. We underscoredthe need to intensify efforts to ensure the effective implementation ofthe Declaration and looked forward to the eventual conclusion of aRegional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). In thisconnection, we welcomed the reconvening of the Meeting of the ASEAN –China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the DOC in April,2010 in Ha Noi and tasked our Senior Officials to work closely withtheir Chinese counterparts to reconvene the ASEAN – China SeniorOfficials’ Meeting on the DOC at the earliest opportunity.
29.We further stressed the importance of maintaining peaceand stability in the South China Sea and encouraged the continuedexercise of self-restraint by all the parties concerned and thepromotion of confidence-building measures in this area. We emphasisedthe importance of all parties to respect the freedom of navigation inand over-flight above the South China Sea as provided for by theuniversally recognised principles of international law. We welcomedthe commitment of all the parties concerned to resolving disputes inthe South China Sea through peaceful means in conformity with thespirit of the DOC and recognised principles of international law,including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS1982).
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
30.We reaffirmed the role of the ARF as the primary forum at the ForeignMinisters’ level in enhancing political and security dialogue andcooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and ASEAN as the primary drivingforce of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) process.
31.Reaffirming the importance of realising the ARF Vision Statementwhich sets out the ARF’s vision of a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacificregion, its purposes, functions and direction up to the year 2020, we looked forward to the adoption of the Ha Noi Plan of Action toimplement the ARF Vision Statement at the 17 th ARF which, interalia, contains policy guidance for the ARF to further develop andimplement concrete and practical actions. We also looked forward tothe effective implementation of the Ha Noi Plan of Action and other ARFwork plans, thus contributing to preserving peace and security in theregion and to promoting the ARF as an effective entity and a key pillarin the evolving regional security architecture. We commended all effortsin the ARF to pursue preventive diplomacy (PD) at a pace comfortable toall Participants, while maintaining the mainstream of confidencebuilding measures (CBM), and supported the initiative to develop an ARFWork Plan on PD in the following inter-sessional year.
Non-traditional security issues
32. Notingwith satisfaction ASEAN’s ongoing cooperation in non-traditionalsecurity issues, we resolved to further enhance greater interactionand cooperation among relevant agencies of ASEAN Member States inaddressing non-traditional security issues, particularly counterterrorism and transnational crimes, and maritime security. In thisregard, we fully supported the implementation of the ASEAN Conventionon Counter-Terrorism and its Comprehensive Plan of Action andencouraged the remaining ASEAN Member States to ratify as soon aspossible the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT). We agreed totask our senior officials to continue the work to finali s e theASEAN Declaration on Humanitarian Assistance to People and Vessels inDistress at Sea . We also tasked our senior officials to work closelywith relevant sectoral bodies to help address these non-traditionalsecurity issues. We noted Viet Nam ’s proposal to host a Meetingof the ASEAN Chiefs of Homeland Security (MACHOS).
ASEANSecurity Outlook
33. We took note of theRegional Seminar on the Preparation of an ASEAN Security Outlook (ASO)held on 7-8 June 2010 in Bali as an effort to implement the APSCBlueprint. The proposed Standardized ASO Format and the Work Plan as theoutcomes of the Seminar shall be further deliberated by the SeniorOfficials.
ASEAN Maritime Forum
34.We welcomed the offer by Indonesia to host the 1 st ASEAN MaritimeForum (AMF) scheduled to be held on 28-29 July 2010 inSurabaya-Indonesia. The AMF is intended to promote and develop commonunderstanding and cooperation among ASEAN Member States ontrans-boundary maritime issues.
ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY(AEC)
35. W e welcomed the entry into forceof the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) on 17 May 2010 andencourage ASEAN Member States to ensure the entry into force of theASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) by August 2010. Webelieved that the 4 th AEC Council Meeting and the 42 nd AEM Meetingscheduled for 24-25 August 2010 in Da Nang - Viet Nam would bringabout additional and more effective measures to realise the AEC by2015.
36. We welcomed the outcome of the 14 thASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting in Nha Trang and were pleased with theentry into force of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM)Agreement on 24 March 2010 and the proposed establishment of the CreditGuarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF). To further expedite the AECbuilding process, we reiterated the importance of implementing measuresconsistent with the timelines in the AEC Blueprint.
37.We highly valued the participation of Viet Nam , in hercapacity as Chairman of ASEAN, to the G-20 Summit in Canada from26-27 June 2010. In this regard, we extended our appreciation to VietNam for her efforts to coordinate a common ASEAN position at the G-20Summit in Canada , which had helped to raise ASEAN’s profile at thisimportant forum. We looked forward to the participation of the ASEANChairman at the forthcoming G-20 Summit in the ROK later this year andreiterated our strong support for the regularisation of theparticipation of ASEAN Chairman in the future G-20 Summits.
ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY (ASCC)
38.We welcomed the 21 st ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) inHa Noi on 24 th May 2010, which discussed a wide range of strategicissues and emerging policies on human resources development, employment,social protection, industrial relations, and migrant workers; andadopted two milestone documents on regional cooperation, namely, theASEAN Guidelines on Good Industrial Relations Practices, and the ASEANLabour Ministers’ Work Programme 2010-2015, which supports therealisation of the goals of the ASEAN Community by 2015. As mandated bythe Leaders, we supported the decision made by ALMM that the DraftingTeam of the ASEAN Instrument on the Protection and Promotion of theRights of Migrant Workers should continue its work using innovativeapproaches to reach consensus.
39. Bearing inmind that human resource is one of the decisive factors for the successof the ASEAN Community building, we noted with appreciation the effortsof the SLOM in drafting the Joint Statement on Human Resources andSkills Development for Economic Recovery and Growth to be submitted tothe ASEAN Leaders for adoption at the 17th ASEAN Summit.
40.Recognising the need to continue to tap on the importantrole of women and children in community building, we noted withappreciation the progress made in drafting the Declaration on theEnhancement of Welfare and Development of ASEAN Women and Children to besubmitted to the ASEAN Leaders for adoption at the 17 th ASEAN Summit.
41. W e welcomed the inauguration of theASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children(ACWC) on 7 April 2010 in the occasion of the 3 rd ASCC Council Meetingback-to-back with the 16 th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi as anotherconcrete manifestation of ASEAN’s endeavour to promote and protect humanrights in the region, especially of women and children. At the sametime, we looked forward to the proper alignment of the ACWC with AICHR.
42. We welcomed the entry into force of theASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER)on 24 December 2009 and appreciated the work being carried out by theASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) in preparing for theestablishment and the adoption of the AADMER Work Programme 2010-2015in March 2010. We also noted the significant work of the ASEAN Committeeon Disaster Management towards the realisation of a fully operationalASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on DisasterManagement (AHA Centre) that will be established in Jakarta in thefirst half of 2011.
43. We noted withsatisfaction the completion report of the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Forcefor the Victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (AHTF), and agreed toconclude the mandate of the ASEAN-led post-Nargis coordination inMyanmar , and to officially end the operations of the AHTF and theTripartite Core Group (TCG) in Myanmar by 31 July 2010. Werecognized the assistance and cooperation rendered by the Government andpeople of Myanmar in these efforts. We underlined the importance toinstitutionalise the experience and knowledge gained and agreed thatthe AHA Centre to be established in Jakarta and the ASEANSecretariat should be the repository of good practices and lessonslearnt. We also expressed our highest appreciation and gratitude to theUnited Nations, Dialogue Partners of ASEAN, donor agencies/countries andthe international community for their generous contributions and fullsupport to the ASEAN-led post-Nargis operation in Myanmar . We notedthat the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement of theGovernment of Myanmar will take over the responsibility of coordinatingand utilizing assistance from the international community in thepost-Nargis recovery efforts.
44. In addressingthe continuing threat of pandemic diseases, we stressed the need tocontinue efforts in setting up an ASEAN mechanism to deal withprevention, control, preparedness, and response to pandemic diseases inthe region. We noted that the ASEAN Health Ministers will be endorsingthe ASEAN Regional Work Plan on Health Development which includeselements on establishing an ASEAN mechanism to address pandemics andemerging infectious diseases. We also noted that there is an on-goingconsultation to create coordination linkage between animal and humanhealth to ensure coherent strategy in confronting the challenges posedby emerging infectious diseases.
45. Weacknowledged with appreciation the progress of implementation of theASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology and welcomed the effortsof Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to formally establishS&T cooperation with Japan through the ASEAN-Japan CooperationCommittee on Science and Technology (AJCCST) and with the EuropeanCommission (EC) through the ASEAN-EC Dialogue Meeting on Science andTechnology. We welcomed the concerted efforts of COST in finalising theroadmaps for the flagship programmes in Early Warning Systems forDisaster Risk Reduction; Bio fuel; Development and Application of OpenSource Systems; Functional Food; Climate Change; and Health. We notedthat the flagship programmes will contribute to and complement theefforts of other sectoral bodies in addressing common challenges thatoccur across national boundaries.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
46. We noted with satisfaction significant progress inASEAN’s cooperation with Dialogue Partners within the frameworks ofASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, EAS and ARF. We welcomed Russia ’s and the US ’sexpressed willingness to engage more closely with ASEAN and the region.We reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to be an outward-lookingcommunity through further enhanced engagement and cooperation with ourexternal partners.
47. We highly appreciatedand looked forward to the continued cooperation and assistance by ourDialogue Partners to ASEAN in the community-building process,narrowing the development gap, enhancing intra-ASEAN connectivity andASEAN’s cooperation with partners to promote a future East Asianconnectivity and beyond, developing human resources, and enhancingregional capabilities to cope with global challenges. We also thankedDialogue Partners for their support for ASEAN’s central role in theexisting regional cooperation frameworks as well as in an evolvingregional architecture .
48. We welcomed the33 Ambassadors of non-ASEAN Member States currently accredited to ASEAN.We also welcomed and approved the proposed accreditation of 11 newAmbassadors of non-ASEAN Member States to ASEAN. This increasingaccreditation of non-ASEAN Ambassadors to ASEAN reflects the successfulimplementation of ASEAN policy of engagement with our external partners.
49. We looked forward to the convening ofthe ASEAN-Australia Summit back-to-back with the 17 th ASEAN Summit.The Summit would be a good opportunity for ASEAN and Australia totake stock of our dialogue cooperation and further deepen cooperation inareas of mutual interest. We welcomed the contributions of Australiathrough the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II(AADCP II) in supporting the ASEAN in implementing economic integrationpolicies and priorities, in line with the AEC Blueprint.
50. We looked forward to the adoption of the Plan ofAction to Implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-Canada EnhancedPartnership (2010-2015) which will further strengthen substantivecooperation between both sides. We also looked forward to the successfulconclusion of the ASEAN-Canada Trade and Investment FrameworkArrangement (TIFA) in order to enhance economic cooperation and tradefacilitation between both sides.
51. Wereaffirmed our commitments to ensure the successful conclusion of thePlan of Action to implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-ChinaStrategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity for the period of2005-2010 and agreed to develop a new Plan of Action for the period of2011-2015 to submit to the Leaders for their adoption at the 13 thASEAN-China Summit in Ha Noi in October. We recalled the signing of theMemorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the ASEAN-ChinaCentre in Beijing last October and looked forward to the earlyoperation of the Centre. ASEAN would work closely with China inundertaking meaningful activities to commemorate the 20 th anniversaryof the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations (1991-2011).
52.We welcomed the outcome of the 18th ASEAN-EU MinisterialMeeting on 26 May 2010 in Madrid , in which the Ministers agreedto further strengthen relations between the two regions throughdeepening political engagement and developing comprehensiveco-operation, based on the Plan of Action to Implement the NurembergDeclaration on an ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership for the period2007-2012.
53. We looked forward to the adoptionof the ASEAN-India Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-IndiaPartnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2010-2015), whichwould serve as a key instrument to make ASEAN-India cooperation moreaction-oriented. We would work closely with India to establish anEPG to take stock of the 20 years of ASEAN-India cooperation and chartfuture direction of ASEAN-India dialogue relations in the long run. Wealso looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN-India CommemorativeSummit in 2012 in India to mark 20 years of ASEAN-India DialogueRelations.
54. We appreciated Japan ’sassistance to narrow the development gap and support ASEAN integrationbased on ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership (Mekong-Japan Summit,BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and “Growth Initiative towards Doubling the Size ofAsia’s Economy”). We welcomed the Third Mekong-Japan Ministerial Meetingin July 2010.
55. We looked forward to theconvening of the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit back-to-backwith the 17 th ASEAN Summit, which would further broaden and deepen thecooperation between ASEAN and this important Dialogue Partner. Welooked forward to the adoption of the Joint Declaration for an ASEAN-NewZealand Comprehensive Partnership and the Plan of Action to implementthe Joint Declaration for an ASEAN-New Zealand ComprehensivePartnership 2010-2015 at the ASEAN PMC +1 with New Zealand on 22 ndJuly 2010.
56. We noted with satisfaction thematurity and growing partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea(ROK). Therefore, we supported the elevation of the ASEAN-ROK relationsfrom a comprehensive cooperation partnership towards a strategicpartnership. In this connection, we took note of the progress made indrafting a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for Peace andProsperity and a Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration onthe ASEAN-ROK Strategic Partnership to be submited to the Leaders fortheir adoption at the 13 th ASEAN-ROK Summit in Ha Noi this year.
57. We looked forward to the convening of theSecond ASEAN-Russian Federation Summit back-to-back with the 17 thASEAN Summit in Ha Noi in October. We took note of the progress made indrafting an ASEAN-Russian Federation Joint Statement which will beadopted by the Second ASEAN-Russian Federation Summit. We lookedforward to the meaningful activities to celebrate the 15 th Anniversaryof ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Relations in 2011.
58.We looked forward to the convening of the Second ASEAN-USLeaders’ Meeting later this year and noted the progress of itspreparation, including the drafting of the proposed outcome documents,namely, the Joint Statement, the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN-USEminent Persons Group, and the ASEAN-US Agreement on Science andTechnology Cooperation. We welcomed the convening of the SecondLower Mekong -US Ministerial Meeting that aims to further develop thelower Mekong basin.
59. We looked forwardto the organisation of the 3 rd ASEAN-UN Summit back-to-back with the17 th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi, which would further enhance cooperationbetween ASEAN and the UN, particularly on matters related to the globalfinancial crisis, reform of international financial institutions,nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, disaster management,peace-keeping, climate change, development cooperation, and theattainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
60.We welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-GCC Two-Year Action Plan(2010-2012) at the 2 nd ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting in Singapore ,31 May-1 June 2010 to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade andinvestment, economic and development, education, culture andinformation, and implementation mechanisms.
61.Recognising that ASEAN Plus One FTAs have provided substantial marketaccess for ASEAN exports to our major trading partners, we welcomed therealisation of the ASEAN-China and the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreements(FTA), the entry into force of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA(AANZFTA) and the Trade in Goods Agreement under the ASEAN-India FreeTrade Agreement (AIFTA) and the commencement of negotiations in trade inservices and investment under the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive EconomicPartnership Agreement.
62. We noted withpleasure the progress in the implementation of the 2 nd JointStatement on East Asia Cooperation and the ASEAN Plus Three CooperationWork Plan (2007-2017), which support the establishment of the ASEANCommunity by 2015 and contribute to the long-term goal of building anEast Asian community with ASEAN as the core and playing the role of theprimary driving force.
63. We welcomed therecent important developments within the framework of ASEAN+3cooperation in various fields such as the realisation of the Chiang MaiInitiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) Agreement on 24 March 2010, thedecision to establish the ASEAN+3 Bond Market Forum (ABMF) the CreditGuarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF) as a trust fund of ADB at the13 th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ Meeting and agreement on all the keyelements of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO); the ASEANLabour Ministers’ Meeting with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea(Ha Noi, May 2010), which focused on the human resource development,cooperation for economic recovery and growth; the outcome of the 4 thMeeting of ASEAN+3 Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts(Philippines, 26 March 2010) which further broadens and deepenscooperation among ASEAN+3 countries in the field of culture and thearts.
64. We were satisfied with the progressmade within the EAS cooperation framework especially in the fivepriority areas, namely, energy, finance, education, avian influenzaprevention and natural disaster mitigation/management. In thisconnection, we encourage fruitful outcomes from the upcoming 4 th EAS-EMM (in Da Lat) and welcomed the 2 nd EAS Workshop on Trade Finance(Sydney, May 2010) and the First Regional Workshop of the EAS EducationCooperation Task Force on Educational Cooperation in East Asia SummitCountries for Regional Competitiveness and Community Building (Jakarta,May 2010) among others, which will help broaden and deepen EAScooperation. We noted the initiatives being undertaken to move forwardbroader regional integration by considering the recommendations of boththe East Asia Free Trade Area (EAFTA) and the Comprehensive EconomicPartnership for East Asia (CEPEA) studies together.
65.We discussed ASEAN’s common approach with regard to the futuredirection of the EAS as instructed by the ASEAN’s Leaders at the 16 thSummit bearing in mind the Leaders-led, open and inclusive nature ofthe EAS with ASEAN playing a central role. We agreed to recommend the 5th EAS to take stock of the EAS achievements and set out directionsfor its future development and to issue a statement on its 5 thAnniversary.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
Korean Peninsula
66. Bearing inmind that peace and security on the Korean Peninsula would greatlybenefit the region, we reaffirmed our support for a nuclear weapons-freeKorean Peninsula and encouraged the parties to resume the Six-PartyTalks as soon as possible, considering it as the main platform toachieve long lasting peace and stability in a denuclearisedKorean Peninsula . ASEAN is prepared to contribute to theprocess through appropriate modalities and venues, including the ASEANRegional Forum.
67. We deplored the incidentof the Cheonan ship sinking and the rising tension on the KoreanPeninsula . We conveyed our sympathy and condolences to the ROK overthe loss of lives in this tragic incident. We urged all partiesconcerned to exercise the utmost restraint, enhance confidence andtrust, settle disputes by peaceful means through dialogue, and promotelong lasting peace and security in the region. In this connection, weexpressed our support for the 9 July 2010 UN Security CouncilPresidential Statement.
Developments in Myanmar
68. We were briefed by the Foreign Minister of Myanmaron recent developments and the progress made in the implementation ofthe Roadmap for national reconciliation and democracy, including thepreparations for the general election in Myanmar in 2010 leading to aconstitutional government. We underscored the importance of nationalreconciliation in Myanmar and the holding of the general election in afree, fair, and inclusive manner, thus contributing to Myanmar ’sstability and development. We also stressed the need for Myanmarto continue to work with ASEAN and the United Nations in thisprocess.
Middle East Peace Process.
69.We strongly condemned Israel ’s military attack on aconvoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, which resulted in theloss of lives and aggravated tension in the region. In this regard, inaccordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, we reiterated the callfor the lifting of the blockade to ensure unimpeded access ofhumanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza in orderto help alleviate their plight.
70. Weencouraged the parties concerned to restart negotiations on the peaceprocess for a final, just and comprehensive settlement with therealisation of two states, Israel and Palestine , living side byside, in peace, within secured and recognised borders, based on theRoadmap, the relevant (UNSC) Resolutions as well as the Arab PeaceInitiative.
Nuclear Disarmament
71.We took note of encouraging developments on nuclear disarmament invarious fora. We welcomed the Final Document of the 2010 ReviewConference of the Parties to the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation ofNuclear Weapon (NPT) for the realisation of the objectives andprinciples enshrined in the NPT in a balanced manner. Despite divergentviews on some issues, the Conference succeeded in reaching an agreementon this important document which contains recommendations for follow-onactions on the three pillars of the Treaty as well as practical steps onthe implementation of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East . In thisconnection, we commended the excellent work done by the Philippinesin her capacity as President of the Review Conference.
72.We also took note of the Communiqué and Work Plan of theNuclear Security Summit held in Washington DC on 13 April 2010,which manifested, among others, the international community’s efforts tosecure nuclear weapons and vulnerable materials and provided usefulreference for countries to enhance their national actions andinternational cooperation in the area of nuclear security.
44th ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING
73. Welooked forward to the 44 th AMM/PMC/18 th ARF to be held in July 2011in Indonesia./.
Following is the full text of the jointcommunique:
INTRODUCTION
1.We, the Foreign Ministers of the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN), met at the 43 rd ASEAN Foreign MinistersMeeting (AMM) from 19-20 July 2010 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam . HisExcellency Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ForeignAffairs of Viet Nam and Chairman of ASEAN, chaired the Meeting. We hadextensive, open and fruitful discussions to advance further ASEAN’scommon efforts under the theme of the year 2010 “ Towards the ASEANCommunity: from Vision to Action ”.
2.His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republicof Viet Nam, attended the Opening Ceremony of the 43 rd AMM anddelivered his Opening Address.
3.Highlighting great achievements so far in moving towards the ASEANCommunity and important decisions made at the recent 16 th ASEAN Summitin Ha Noi, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung suggested 5 major areas thatASEAN Foreign Ministers could focus on, namely: i) undertaking concreteand feasible measures to accelerate the implementation of the Roadmapfor the ASEAN Community by 2015 and other important plans, bringing theASEAN Charter into full realisation as soon as possible and furtherpromoting the “compliance culture” to ensure effective and timelyimplementation of ASEAN’s agreements; ii) further enhancing the role ofASEAN as the primary driving force for dialogue and cooperation onregional political security issues with a view to maintaining regionalpeace and stability; iii) broadening and deepening ASEAN’s externalrelations through frameworks of ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, EAS and ARF, based onthe guiding principle of serving the objective of ASEAN Communitybuilding and maintaining ASEAN centrality; iv) intensifying cooperationand coordination at regional and international levels to effectivelyaddress global challenges, especially the current global financialcrisis, climate change, disaster management and disease control; v)enhancing ASEAN’s cohesiveness and unity, upholding ASEAN’s fundamentalprinciples and “ASEAN way” in handling all issues of concern.
ASEAN COMMUNITY BUILDING
4.We noted with appreciation the successful outcome of the 16 th ASEANSummit in Ha Noi on 8-9 April 2010, which gave strong impetus to theefforts of building a resilient, dynamic and sustained ASEAN Community.We reaffirmed our commitment to effectively implementing the decisionsmade by our Leaders, especially in expediting the process of ASEANCommunity building and maintaining ASEAN centrality in an evolvingregional architecture.
5. We were pleasedwith the significant progress made in implementing the Roadmap for ASEANCommunity and the ASEAN Charter and reaffirmed our strong commitment torealising the ASEAN Community by 2015, which is politically cohesive,economically integrated and socially responsible.
6.We welcomed the adoption of the Communication Plans of all thethree pillars of the ASEAN Community, and tasked the Committee ofPermanent Representatives to ASEAN ( CPR) to work in close coordinationwith the ASEAN Secretariat to come up with a Master Communication Plansynergising all the three Communication Plans in order to enhanceASEAN’s coordination to promote the people’s greater awareness andparticipation in the ASEAN Community building process.
ASEAN Charter
7. We welcomed thespeedy progress in implementing the ASEAN Charter, which constitutes thelegal and institutional framework for the ASEAN Community and beyond.We noted with pleasure the smooth and effective functioning of the neworgans and structures under the ASEAN Charter, especially the fourMinisterial Councils and the CPR.
8. Wenoted with satisfaction the significant progress of the work of the CPRin supporting ASEAN to become a more rules-based intergovernmentalorganisation by concluding various guidelines, terms of reference (TORs)and rules of procedures (ROPs). We were pleased to adopt the TORs andROP for the ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and InternationalOrganisations (ACTC) at this 43 rd AMM. We noted with appreciation thatthe Guidelines on the Use of the “ASEAN” name, Guidelines on the Use ofASEAN Emblem, Guidelines on the use of the ASEAN Anthem and the ASEANSecretariat Financial Rules and Procedure (AFRP) prepared by the CPRhave been adopted at the Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council(ACC) in April 2010. We encouraged the CPR to continue its importantwork in implementing the ASEAN Charter by finalising the remainingguidelines, TORs, and ROPs expeditiously.
9.We reaffirmed the role of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission onHuman Rights (AICHR) as the overarching institution for regionalcooperation in human rights. We commended the AICHR’s efforts infinalising the Five-year Work Plan (2010-2015), which would lay outrelevant practical programmes and activities for AICHR to carry out itsmandate and functions. In this connection, we approved the high priorityprogrammes and activities (2010-2011) of AICHR together with theindicative budget for that period, and requested AICHR to finalise andsubmit the indicative budget for the cycle of five years for us to adoptthe Five-Year Work Plan (2010-2015). We stressed the importance ofensuring the effective operation of AICHR and the proper alignment withAICHR of ACWC and other ASEAN sectoral bodies dealing with human rightsin conformity with the Terms of Reference of AICHR.
10.We were pleased with the progress that had been made indeveloping legal documents necessary for the full and effectiveimplementation of the Charter . We tasked the senior officials tocontinue to work on these remaining legal documents with the aim offinalizing them by the 17 th ASEAN Summit in October 2010.
11. We further stressed the importance of bringing theASEAN Charter into full realisation in all aspects while upholding theprinciples of the Charter, and therefore committed ourselves to workingclosely with relevant sectoral bodies in the three Community Councils toimprove the working methods and complete a full legal framework for theASEAN Charter.
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community
12.Noting with satisf action the significantprogress achieved in the implementation of the ASEANPolitical-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint , we agreed tofurther accelerate th e implementation process , particularlythe programmes/activities in the 14 priorit y areas . Weunderscored the importance of enhancing the coordination amongst thevarious sectoral bodies under this pillar to promote an integratedapproach in dealing with overlapping issues.
13.We were pleased to note that ASEAN Member States have beeneffectively implementing the programmes and measures of the ASEANEconomic Community (AEC) Blueprint with a view to achieving the AEC by2015. We called on ASEAN Member States to further intensify effortsin intra-ASEAN economic integration and in implementing all economicintegration commitments in accordance with the agreed timelines.
14. We noted with satisfaction r emarkable progressmade in the implementation of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)Blueprint, particularly in enhancing social welfare and development forwomen and children, responding to climate change and disasters,developing human resources, promoting ASEAN identity and awareness. Wewelcomed the outcome of the 3 rd ASCC Council Meeting, particularly thepractical measures which would raise the awareness of ASEAN in theregion and the world and create greater sense of belonging of ourpeoples to the ASEAN Community and protect our cultural identity anddiversity.
15. We welcomed the progress reportof the High Level Task Force on ASEAN Connectivity (HLTF-AC) and wereheartened to note that the HLTF-AC is on track for the completion of theMaster Plan on ASEAN Connectivity by the 17 th ASEAN Summit. Wethanked the partner agencies, namely the Economic Research Institute forASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), theUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP) and World Bank for the assistance rendered in the drafting ofthe Master Plan. We also called for support from our Dialogue Partners,international organisations and other partners, for the ASEANConnectivity Initiative and look forward to their future participationin the implementation of the Master Plan once it is adopted.
16. We were pleased with the progress in implementing theInitiative for ASEAN Integration ( IAI) Work Plan II (2009-2015).The effective implementation of the Work Plan, together with the threeASEAN Community Blueprints, will help move forward thecommunity-building process in a more balanced, inclusive and sustainablemanner. In this connection, we welcomed the outcome of the IAI TaskForce Meetings on the IAI Work Plan II. We encouraged Dialogue Partnersand Development Partners to actively contribute towards ensuring thefruitful outcome of the 3 rd IAI Development Cooperation Forum(IDCF-3) scheduled to be held later in 2010.
17.Fully aware of the great importance and necessity of narrowing thedevelopment gap among Member States in the ASEAN Community buildingprocess, we agreed to further intensify our efforts in narrowing thedevelopment gap in ASEAN to enhance ASEAN integration. Together with theimplementation of the IAI, we agreed to strengthen cooperation insub-regional areas including Mekong sub-regional frameworks (AMBDC,CLV, CLMV, ACMECS, GMS), BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, and others.
ASEAN Centrality in an Evolving Regional Architecture
18.We stressed the importance to maintain ASEAN centralityin the evolving regional architecture. To this end, we agreed tointensify our efforts to accelerate ASEAN’s integration and communitybuilding while proactively broadening and deepening ASEAN’s externalrelations and strengthening ASEAN’s role as the primary driving force inthe existing regional mechanisms . We reaffirmed our Leaders’guiding principles that any new regional framework or process should becomplementary to and built upon existing regional mechanisms and theprinciple of ASEAN centrality. We also emphasised the need to developASEAN’s common strategies and stance vis-à-vis important partners andimportant regional and global issues.
19. Weenvisaged that ASEAN Community building would contribute to the buildingof a community in the wider region. We also reiterated that theregional architecture should be inclusive and be able to sustain thedynamic equilibrium of the region. The regional architecture must beshaped by harmony and cooperation in promoting regional peace, stabilityand prosperity.
20. We welcomed theexpressed interest of the Russian Federation and the United Statesto join the East Asia Summit (EAS). We agreed to recommend to ASEANLeaders at the 17th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi in October 2010 to formallymake the decision on inviting the Russian Federation and the UnitedStates to join the EAS with appropriate arrangements and timing. Sucharrangements should be based on the promotion of existing EAS agenda andpriorities. In this connection, we reaffirmed ASEAN centrality as wellas the established objectives and principles of the EAS as a Leaders-ledforum.
21. We welcomed the outcome of the 4th A SEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) on 11 May 2010 in HaNoi which contributes to further strengthening defence dialogue andcooperation in ASEAN. In this connection, we supported the 4 thADMM’s decision to convene the first ADMM Plus in Ha Noi in October2010. We reaffirmed the importance of the ADMM Plus as an importantcomponent of a robust, effective, open and inclusive regional securityarchitecture that would complement the work of the ASEAN Regional Forumand help ensure ASEAN centrality in regional efforts to deal withsecurity issues.
ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY (APSC)
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia ( TAC)
22. We welcomed the accession by Canada and Turkeyto the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as astrong signal of their commitment to strengthening cooperation withASEAN and to peace and security in the region.
23.We welcomed the signing of the Third Protocol amending the TACscheduled to take place on 23 July 2010. The entry into force of theProtocol will provide a more inclusive nature to the TAC, enablingaccession by, not only states but also regional organisations whosemembers are Sovereign States. We looked forward to its fullratification by all the High Contracting Parties and the earlyaccession of EU/EC to the TAC once the Third Protocol enters intoforce.
24. Noting the request by some othercountries to accede to the TAC, we tasked our senior officials toconsider this matter in line with the Guidelines for Accession to theTAC and submit their recommendation to us. We further noted the need toimplement the APSC Blueprint in Strengthening Cooperation under the TAC.
Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone(SEANWFZ)
25. We underscored the importanceof preserving Southeast Asia as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and free ofall other weapons of mass destruction as enshrined in the ASEAN Charterand the SEANFWZ Treaty. We reviewed the implementation of the Plan ofAction to Strengthen the Treaty on the Southeast Asia NuclearWeapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and agreed to exert greater efforts to ensurethat various programmes and activities indicated in the Plan of Actionare carried out. We agreed to continue to engage with the Nuclear WeaponStates to encourage them to accede to the SEANWFZ Protocol as soon aspossible.
26. We noted with satisfaction theprogress in the implementation of the Plan of Action to strengthen theSEANWFZ Treaty by the adoption of the 64 th UNGA Resolution on SEANWFZ.We agreed that the threats of nuclear proliferation, wherever theirsources are, must be effectively addressed without discrimination or anydouble standard.
27. We commended Viet Namas the Chair of ASEAN in raising the profile of the SEANWFZ inmultilateral fora including the 2010 NPT Review Conference and the 2 ndConference of States Parties and Signatories to Treaties that establishNWFZ and Mongolia in New York this year and looked forward to theSEANWFZ interacting closely with interested Parties including otherNWFZs to promote the goals of the NPT in our region and beyond. Wewelcomed Indonesia as the incoming Chair of the SEANWFZ Commissionstarting from January 2011 and her initiation to ratify theComprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) .
South ChinaSea
28. We reaffirmed the importance of theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) as amilestone document between ASEAN and China , embodying the collectivecommitment to promoting peace, stability and mutual trust and toensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in the area. We underscoredthe need to intensify efforts to ensure the effective implementation ofthe Declaration and looked forward to the eventual conclusion of aRegional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). In thisconnection, we welcomed the reconvening of the Meeting of the ASEAN –China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the DOC in April,2010 in Ha Noi and tasked our Senior Officials to work closely withtheir Chinese counterparts to reconvene the ASEAN – China SeniorOfficials’ Meeting on the DOC at the earliest opportunity.
29.We further stressed the importance of maintaining peaceand stability in the South China Sea and encouraged the continuedexercise of self-restraint by all the parties concerned and thepromotion of confidence-building measures in this area. We emphasisedthe importance of all parties to respect the freedom of navigation inand over-flight above the South China Sea as provided for by theuniversally recognised principles of international law. We welcomedthe commitment of all the parties concerned to resolving disputes inthe South China Sea through peaceful means in conformity with thespirit of the DOC and recognised principles of international law,including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS1982).
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
30.We reaffirmed the role of the ARF as the primary forum at the ForeignMinisters’ level in enhancing political and security dialogue andcooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and ASEAN as the primary drivingforce of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) process.
31.Reaffirming the importance of realising the ARF Vision Statementwhich sets out the ARF’s vision of a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacificregion, its purposes, functions and direction up to the year 2020, we looked forward to the adoption of the Ha Noi Plan of Action toimplement the ARF Vision Statement at the 17 th ARF which, interalia, contains policy guidance for the ARF to further develop andimplement concrete and practical actions. We also looked forward tothe effective implementation of the Ha Noi Plan of Action and other ARFwork plans, thus contributing to preserving peace and security in theregion and to promoting the ARF as an effective entity and a key pillarin the evolving regional security architecture. We commended all effortsin the ARF to pursue preventive diplomacy (PD) at a pace comfortable toall Participants, while maintaining the mainstream of confidencebuilding measures (CBM), and supported the initiative to develop an ARFWork Plan on PD in the following inter-sessional year.
Non-traditional security issues
32. Notingwith satisfaction ASEAN’s ongoing cooperation in non-traditionalsecurity issues, we resolved to further enhance greater interactionand cooperation among relevant agencies of ASEAN Member States inaddressing non-traditional security issues, particularly counterterrorism and transnational crimes, and maritime security. In thisregard, we fully supported the implementation of the ASEAN Conventionon Counter-Terrorism and its Comprehensive Plan of Action andencouraged the remaining ASEAN Member States to ratify as soon aspossible the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT). We agreed totask our senior officials to continue the work to finali s e theASEAN Declaration on Humanitarian Assistance to People and Vessels inDistress at Sea . We also tasked our senior officials to work closelywith relevant sectoral bodies to help address these non-traditionalsecurity issues. We noted Viet Nam ’s proposal to host a Meetingof the ASEAN Chiefs of Homeland Security (MACHOS).
ASEANSecurity Outlook
33. We took note of theRegional Seminar on the Preparation of an ASEAN Security Outlook (ASO)held on 7-8 June 2010 in Bali as an effort to implement the APSCBlueprint. The proposed Standardized ASO Format and the Work Plan as theoutcomes of the Seminar shall be further deliberated by the SeniorOfficials.
ASEAN Maritime Forum
34.We welcomed the offer by Indonesia to host the 1 st ASEAN MaritimeForum (AMF) scheduled to be held on 28-29 July 2010 inSurabaya-Indonesia. The AMF is intended to promote and develop commonunderstanding and cooperation among ASEAN Member States ontrans-boundary maritime issues.
ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY(AEC)
35. W e welcomed the entry into forceof the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) on 17 May 2010 andencourage ASEAN Member States to ensure the entry into force of theASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) by August 2010. Webelieved that the 4 th AEC Council Meeting and the 42 nd AEM Meetingscheduled for 24-25 August 2010 in Da Nang - Viet Nam would bringabout additional and more effective measures to realise the AEC by2015.
36. We welcomed the outcome of the 14 thASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting in Nha Trang and were pleased with theentry into force of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM)Agreement on 24 March 2010 and the proposed establishment of the CreditGuarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF). To further expedite the AECbuilding process, we reiterated the importance of implementing measuresconsistent with the timelines in the AEC Blueprint.
37.We highly valued the participation of Viet Nam , in hercapacity as Chairman of ASEAN, to the G-20 Summit in Canada from26-27 June 2010. In this regard, we extended our appreciation to VietNam for her efforts to coordinate a common ASEAN position at the G-20Summit in Canada , which had helped to raise ASEAN’s profile at thisimportant forum. We looked forward to the participation of the ASEANChairman at the forthcoming G-20 Summit in the ROK later this year andreiterated our strong support for the regularisation of theparticipation of ASEAN Chairman in the future G-20 Summits.
ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY (ASCC)
38.We welcomed the 21 st ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) inHa Noi on 24 th May 2010, which discussed a wide range of strategicissues and emerging policies on human resources development, employment,social protection, industrial relations, and migrant workers; andadopted two milestone documents on regional cooperation, namely, theASEAN Guidelines on Good Industrial Relations Practices, and the ASEANLabour Ministers’ Work Programme 2010-2015, which supports therealisation of the goals of the ASEAN Community by 2015. As mandated bythe Leaders, we supported the decision made by ALMM that the DraftingTeam of the ASEAN Instrument on the Protection and Promotion of theRights of Migrant Workers should continue its work using innovativeapproaches to reach consensus.
39. Bearing inmind that human resource is one of the decisive factors for the successof the ASEAN Community building, we noted with appreciation the effortsof the SLOM in drafting the Joint Statement on Human Resources andSkills Development for Economic Recovery and Growth to be submitted tothe ASEAN Leaders for adoption at the 17th ASEAN Summit.
40.Recognising the need to continue to tap on the importantrole of women and children in community building, we noted withappreciation the progress made in drafting the Declaration on theEnhancement of Welfare and Development of ASEAN Women and Children to besubmitted to the ASEAN Leaders for adoption at the 17 th ASEAN Summit.
41. W e welcomed the inauguration of theASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children(ACWC) on 7 April 2010 in the occasion of the 3 rd ASCC Council Meetingback-to-back with the 16 th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi as anotherconcrete manifestation of ASEAN’s endeavour to promote and protect humanrights in the region, especially of women and children. At the sametime, we looked forward to the proper alignment of the ACWC with AICHR.
42. We welcomed the entry into force of theASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER)on 24 December 2009 and appreciated the work being carried out by theASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) in preparing for theestablishment and the adoption of the AADMER Work Programme 2010-2015in March 2010. We also noted the significant work of the ASEAN Committeeon Disaster Management towards the realisation of a fully operationalASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on DisasterManagement (AHA Centre) that will be established in Jakarta in thefirst half of 2011.
43. We noted withsatisfaction the completion report of the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Forcefor the Victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (AHTF), and agreed toconclude the mandate of the ASEAN-led post-Nargis coordination inMyanmar , and to officially end the operations of the AHTF and theTripartite Core Group (TCG) in Myanmar by 31 July 2010. Werecognized the assistance and cooperation rendered by the Government andpeople of Myanmar in these efforts. We underlined the importance toinstitutionalise the experience and knowledge gained and agreed thatthe AHA Centre to be established in Jakarta and the ASEANSecretariat should be the repository of good practices and lessonslearnt. We also expressed our highest appreciation and gratitude to theUnited Nations, Dialogue Partners of ASEAN, donor agencies/countries andthe international community for their generous contributions and fullsupport to the ASEAN-led post-Nargis operation in Myanmar . We notedthat the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement of theGovernment of Myanmar will take over the responsibility of coordinatingand utilizing assistance from the international community in thepost-Nargis recovery efforts.
44. In addressingthe continuing threat of pandemic diseases, we stressed the need tocontinue efforts in setting up an ASEAN mechanism to deal withprevention, control, preparedness, and response to pandemic diseases inthe region. We noted that the ASEAN Health Ministers will be endorsingthe ASEAN Regional Work Plan on Health Development which includeselements on establishing an ASEAN mechanism to address pandemics andemerging infectious diseases. We also noted that there is an on-goingconsultation to create coordination linkage between animal and humanhealth to ensure coherent strategy in confronting the challenges posedby emerging infectious diseases.
45. Weacknowledged with appreciation the progress of implementation of theASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology and welcomed the effortsof Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to formally establishS&T cooperation with Japan through the ASEAN-Japan CooperationCommittee on Science and Technology (AJCCST) and with the EuropeanCommission (EC) through the ASEAN-EC Dialogue Meeting on Science andTechnology. We welcomed the concerted efforts of COST in finalising theroadmaps for the flagship programmes in Early Warning Systems forDisaster Risk Reduction; Bio fuel; Development and Application of OpenSource Systems; Functional Food; Climate Change; and Health. We notedthat the flagship programmes will contribute to and complement theefforts of other sectoral bodies in addressing common challenges thatoccur across national boundaries.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
46. We noted with satisfaction significant progress inASEAN’s cooperation with Dialogue Partners within the frameworks ofASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, EAS and ARF. We welcomed Russia ’s and the US ’sexpressed willingness to engage more closely with ASEAN and the region.We reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to be an outward-lookingcommunity through further enhanced engagement and cooperation with ourexternal partners.
47. We highly appreciatedand looked forward to the continued cooperation and assistance by ourDialogue Partners to ASEAN in the community-building process,narrowing the development gap, enhancing intra-ASEAN connectivity andASEAN’s cooperation with partners to promote a future East Asianconnectivity and beyond, developing human resources, and enhancingregional capabilities to cope with global challenges. We also thankedDialogue Partners for their support for ASEAN’s central role in theexisting regional cooperation frameworks as well as in an evolvingregional architecture .
48. We welcomed the33 Ambassadors of non-ASEAN Member States currently accredited to ASEAN.We also welcomed and approved the proposed accreditation of 11 newAmbassadors of non-ASEAN Member States to ASEAN. This increasingaccreditation of non-ASEAN Ambassadors to ASEAN reflects the successfulimplementation of ASEAN policy of engagement with our external partners.
49. We looked forward to the convening ofthe ASEAN-Australia Summit back-to-back with the 17 th ASEAN Summit.The Summit would be a good opportunity for ASEAN and Australia totake stock of our dialogue cooperation and further deepen cooperation inareas of mutual interest. We welcomed the contributions of Australiathrough the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II(AADCP II) in supporting the ASEAN in implementing economic integrationpolicies and priorities, in line with the AEC Blueprint.
50. We looked forward to the adoption of the Plan ofAction to Implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-Canada EnhancedPartnership (2010-2015) which will further strengthen substantivecooperation between both sides. We also looked forward to the successfulconclusion of the ASEAN-Canada Trade and Investment FrameworkArrangement (TIFA) in order to enhance economic cooperation and tradefacilitation between both sides.
51. Wereaffirmed our commitments to ensure the successful conclusion of thePlan of Action to implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-ChinaStrategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity for the period of2005-2010 and agreed to develop a new Plan of Action for the period of2011-2015 to submit to the Leaders for their adoption at the 13 thASEAN-China Summit in Ha Noi in October. We recalled the signing of theMemorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the ASEAN-ChinaCentre in Beijing last October and looked forward to the earlyoperation of the Centre. ASEAN would work closely with China inundertaking meaningful activities to commemorate the 20 th anniversaryof the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations (1991-2011).
52.We welcomed the outcome of the 18th ASEAN-EU MinisterialMeeting on 26 May 2010 in Madrid , in which the Ministers agreedto further strengthen relations between the two regions throughdeepening political engagement and developing comprehensiveco-operation, based on the Plan of Action to Implement the NurembergDeclaration on an ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership for the period2007-2012.
53. We looked forward to the adoptionof the ASEAN-India Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-IndiaPartnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2010-2015), whichwould serve as a key instrument to make ASEAN-India cooperation moreaction-oriented. We would work closely with India to establish anEPG to take stock of the 20 years of ASEAN-India cooperation and chartfuture direction of ASEAN-India dialogue relations in the long run. Wealso looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN-India CommemorativeSummit in 2012 in India to mark 20 years of ASEAN-India DialogueRelations.
54. We appreciated Japan ’sassistance to narrow the development gap and support ASEAN integrationbased on ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership (Mekong-Japan Summit,BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and “Growth Initiative towards Doubling the Size ofAsia’s Economy”). We welcomed the Third Mekong-Japan Ministerial Meetingin July 2010.
55. We looked forward to theconvening of the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit back-to-backwith the 17 th ASEAN Summit, which would further broaden and deepen thecooperation between ASEAN and this important Dialogue Partner. Welooked forward to the adoption of the Joint Declaration for an ASEAN-NewZealand Comprehensive Partnership and the Plan of Action to implementthe Joint Declaration for an ASEAN-New Zealand ComprehensivePartnership 2010-2015 at the ASEAN PMC +1 with New Zealand on 22 ndJuly 2010.
56. We noted with satisfaction thematurity and growing partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea(ROK). Therefore, we supported the elevation of the ASEAN-ROK relationsfrom a comprehensive cooperation partnership towards a strategicpartnership. In this connection, we took note of the progress made indrafting a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for Peace andProsperity and a Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration onthe ASEAN-ROK Strategic Partnership to be submited to the Leaders fortheir adoption at the 13 th ASEAN-ROK Summit in Ha Noi this year.
57. We looked forward to the convening of theSecond ASEAN-Russian Federation Summit back-to-back with the 17 thASEAN Summit in Ha Noi in October. We took note of the progress made indrafting an ASEAN-Russian Federation Joint Statement which will beadopted by the Second ASEAN-Russian Federation Summit. We lookedforward to the meaningful activities to celebrate the 15 th Anniversaryof ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Relations in 2011.
58.We looked forward to the convening of the Second ASEAN-USLeaders’ Meeting later this year and noted the progress of itspreparation, including the drafting of the proposed outcome documents,namely, the Joint Statement, the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN-USEminent Persons Group, and the ASEAN-US Agreement on Science andTechnology Cooperation. We welcomed the convening of the SecondLower Mekong -US Ministerial Meeting that aims to further develop thelower Mekong basin.
59. We looked forwardto the organisation of the 3 rd ASEAN-UN Summit back-to-back with the17 th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi, which would further enhance cooperationbetween ASEAN and the UN, particularly on matters related to the globalfinancial crisis, reform of international financial institutions,nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, disaster management,peace-keeping, climate change, development cooperation, and theattainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
60.We welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-GCC Two-Year Action Plan(2010-2012) at the 2 nd ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting in Singapore ,31 May-1 June 2010 to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade andinvestment, economic and development, education, culture andinformation, and implementation mechanisms.
61.Recognising that ASEAN Plus One FTAs have provided substantial marketaccess for ASEAN exports to our major trading partners, we welcomed therealisation of the ASEAN-China and the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreements(FTA), the entry into force of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA(AANZFTA) and the Trade in Goods Agreement under the ASEAN-India FreeTrade Agreement (AIFTA) and the commencement of negotiations in trade inservices and investment under the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive EconomicPartnership Agreement.
62. We noted withpleasure the progress in the implementation of the 2 nd JointStatement on East Asia Cooperation and the ASEAN Plus Three CooperationWork Plan (2007-2017), which support the establishment of the ASEANCommunity by 2015 and contribute to the long-term goal of building anEast Asian community with ASEAN as the core and playing the role of theprimary driving force.
63. We welcomed therecent important developments within the framework of ASEAN+3cooperation in various fields such as the realisation of the Chiang MaiInitiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) Agreement on 24 March 2010, thedecision to establish the ASEAN+3 Bond Market Forum (ABMF) the CreditGuarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF) as a trust fund of ADB at the13 th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ Meeting and agreement on all the keyelements of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO); the ASEANLabour Ministers’ Meeting with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea(Ha Noi, May 2010), which focused on the human resource development,cooperation for economic recovery and growth; the outcome of the 4 thMeeting of ASEAN+3 Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts(Philippines, 26 March 2010) which further broadens and deepenscooperation among ASEAN+3 countries in the field of culture and thearts.
64. We were satisfied with the progressmade within the EAS cooperation framework especially in the fivepriority areas, namely, energy, finance, education, avian influenzaprevention and natural disaster mitigation/management. In thisconnection, we encourage fruitful outcomes from the upcoming 4 th EAS-EMM (in Da Lat) and welcomed the 2 nd EAS Workshop on Trade Finance(Sydney, May 2010) and the First Regional Workshop of the EAS EducationCooperation Task Force on Educational Cooperation in East Asia SummitCountries for Regional Competitiveness and Community Building (Jakarta,May 2010) among others, which will help broaden and deepen EAScooperation. We noted the initiatives being undertaken to move forwardbroader regional integration by considering the recommendations of boththe East Asia Free Trade Area (EAFTA) and the Comprehensive EconomicPartnership for East Asia (CEPEA) studies together.
65.We discussed ASEAN’s common approach with regard to the futuredirection of the EAS as instructed by the ASEAN’s Leaders at the 16 thSummit bearing in mind the Leaders-led, open and inclusive nature ofthe EAS with ASEAN playing a central role. We agreed to recommend the 5th EAS to take stock of the EAS achievements and set out directionsfor its future development and to issue a statement on its 5 thAnniversary.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
Korean Peninsula
66. Bearing inmind that peace and security on the Korean Peninsula would greatlybenefit the region, we reaffirmed our support for a nuclear weapons-freeKorean Peninsula and encouraged the parties to resume the Six-PartyTalks as soon as possible, considering it as the main platform toachieve long lasting peace and stability in a denuclearisedKorean Peninsula . ASEAN is prepared to contribute to theprocess through appropriate modalities and venues, including the ASEANRegional Forum.
67. We deplored the incidentof the Cheonan ship sinking and the rising tension on the KoreanPeninsula . We conveyed our sympathy and condolences to the ROK overthe loss of lives in this tragic incident. We urged all partiesconcerned to exercise the utmost restraint, enhance confidence andtrust, settle disputes by peaceful means through dialogue, and promotelong lasting peace and security in the region. In this connection, weexpressed our support for the 9 July 2010 UN Security CouncilPresidential Statement.
Developments in Myanmar
68. We were briefed by the Foreign Minister of Myanmaron recent developments and the progress made in the implementation ofthe Roadmap for national reconciliation and democracy, including thepreparations for the general election in Myanmar in 2010 leading to aconstitutional government. We underscored the importance of nationalreconciliation in Myanmar and the holding of the general election in afree, fair, and inclusive manner, thus contributing to Myanmar ’sstability and development. We also stressed the need for Myanmarto continue to work with ASEAN and the United Nations in thisprocess.
Middle East Peace Process.
69.We strongly condemned Israel ’s military attack on aconvoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, which resulted in theloss of lives and aggravated tension in the region. In this regard, inaccordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, we reiterated the callfor the lifting of the blockade to ensure unimpeded access ofhumanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza in orderto help alleviate their plight.
70. Weencouraged the parties concerned to restart negotiations on the peaceprocess for a final, just and comprehensive settlement with therealisation of two states, Israel and Palestine , living side byside, in peace, within secured and recognised borders, based on theRoadmap, the relevant (UNSC) Resolutions as well as the Arab PeaceInitiative.
Nuclear Disarmament
71.We took note of encouraging developments on nuclear disarmament invarious fora. We welcomed the Final Document of the 2010 ReviewConference of the Parties to the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation ofNuclear Weapon (NPT) for the realisation of the objectives andprinciples enshrined in the NPT in a balanced manner. Despite divergentviews on some issues, the Conference succeeded in reaching an agreementon this important document which contains recommendations for follow-onactions on the three pillars of the Treaty as well as practical steps onthe implementation of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East . In thisconnection, we commended the excellent work done by the Philippinesin her capacity as President of the Review Conference.
72.We also took note of the Communiqué and Work Plan of theNuclear Security Summit held in Washington DC on 13 April 2010,which manifested, among others, the international community’s efforts tosecure nuclear weapons and vulnerable materials and provided usefulreference for countries to enhance their national actions andinternational cooperation in the area of nuclear security.
44th ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING
73. Welooked forward to the 44 th AMM/PMC/18 th ARF to be held in July 2011in Indonesia./.
