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                                THE ASEAN +3  PROCESS   

History

ASEAN has links with Europe through the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and with North and South America through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Recognising the importance of establishing the same link with Northeast Asia and the important role that East Asian countries play in the region, the heads of state and government of China, Japan and Korea were invited to the Second ASEAN Informal Summit in Kuala Lumpur in 1997.  The first “ASEAN+3” summit was followed by separate “ASEAN+1” meetings with the leaders of China, Japan and Korea.

Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation

At the Third ASEAN Informal Summit in Manila in 1999, the ASEAN+3 process was further strengthened with the issue of a Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation by the ASEAN+3 leaders. The statement reflects a commitment to strengthen cooperation and collaboration in East Asia in priority areas of shared interest and concern especially in economic, monetary and financial cooperation, social and human resources development, science and technology, culture and information and development cooperation.

At their first meeting in Bangkok in July 2000, the ASEAN+3 foreign ministers adopted a Modality for the Implementation of the Joint Statement  with a view to ensure coordination and coherence while allowing for flexibility in moving the process forward.  In terms of coordination, it was agreed that countries chairing summits would compile and consolidate reports on progress made in various areas of cooperation which would be submitted for the consideration of ASEAN+3 summits.  The foreign ministers also agreed to meet annually with a view to strengthening cooperation within the ASEAN+3 framework.

ASEAN+3 cooperation

So far, ASEAN+3 cooperation has been most prominent in the areas of economics and finance. ASEAN officials in areas such as science and technology, agriculture and forestry, labour and tourism have expressed interest in having their own ASEAN+3 processes.

East Asia Vision Group (EAVG)

The East Asia Vision Group (EAVG) was initiated by Korea’s President Kim Dae-jung at the ASEAN+3 Summit in Hanoi in 1998 to discuss long-term cooperation in the region.  The EAVG’s report will be submitted to the leaders at the ASEAN+3 Summit in Brunei Darussalam in November.

The vision held five sessions from the second half of 1999 to 2001.  It was launched in Seoul in October, 1999, with former Korean foreign minister Dr Han Sung Joo selected as chairman. Each of the ASEAN+3 countries was represented by two academics. 

The second meeting was held in Shanghai in April 2000, the third in Tokyo in October 2000 and the fourth in Bali in February 2001.  The fifth and final meeting was held in Seoul in May 2001. 

East Asia Study Group (EASG)

At the ASEAN+3 Summit in Singapore in November 2000, President Kim Dae-jung proposed the establishment of an East Asia Study Group (EASG) to:

  -  Assess the recommendations of the EAVG

  -  Explore the idea and implications of an East Asia summit.  

The 14-member study group consists of 13 senior officials from the ten ASEAN members plus China, Japan and Korea along with the secretary-general of ASEAN.  The Working Group of the East Asia Study Group has been set up to assist the senior officials.

The EASG will submit its interim report to the ASEAN+3 summit in Brunei Darussalam in 2001 and its final report to the ASEAN+3 summit in Cambodia in 2002.