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PRESS
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 7TH ASEAN
SUMMIT
AND
THE THREE ASEAN + 1 SUMMITS
November
6, 2001, Bandar Seri Begawan
1.
The ASEAN leaders held three separate meetings with
the leaders of China. Japan and Korea. We held fruitful
discussions resulting in several important initiatives
with all three countries.
ASEAN
and China
2.
In the meeting with Premier Zhu, we noted that
China has been an important partner of ASEAN over the past
decade. Our close relations have much to offer for
regional peace and prosperity. We also noted that
China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation will
create market opportunities for both ASEAN and China,
building on the momentum of our rapidly growing ties. At
the same time, we are deeply grateful for China’s
support in efforts to recover from the recent economic
crisis.
3.
We considered a study by the ASEAN-China Expert
Group, set up in response to the suggestion by Premier Zhu
at our meeting in Singapore last year. We endorsed the
proposal for a Framework on Economic Cooperation and
to establish an ASEAN-China Free Trade Area within
10 years with special and differential treatment and
flexibility to the newer ASEAN members. The agreement
should also provide for an “early harvest” in which
the lists of products and services will be determined by
mutual consultation. With a combined market of 1.7 billion
people, a free trade area between ASEAN and China would
have gross domestic product of $2 trillion and two-way
trade of $1.23 trillion. We agreed to instruct our
ministers and senior officials to start negotiations with
a view to conclude the agreement as soon as possible.
4.
In addition, China agreed to grant special
preferential tariff treatment for some goods from
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, the least developed members of
ASEAN.
5.
We identified agriculture, information technology,
human resources development, investment and Mekong River
basin development as five priority areas for cooperation
in the early part of the new century. We agreed to work
towards a consultation mechanism with the involvement of
government officials, business people and academics. In
this regard, we decided to convene a meeting of ASEAN and
Chinese transport ministers. China also offered $5 million
to help navigation along the upper stretches of the Mekong
River in Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
6.
We agreed to strengthen cooperation in the
information technology sector by holding a follow-up
seminar to the one hosted by China last year.
7.
We also agreed to cooperate in the area of HIV/AIDS
and work closely together to combat the menace of drugs
through ASEAN-China Cooperative Operations in Response
to Dangerous Drugs.
8.
As part of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration
launched last year, we explored new possibilities for
increasing China’s participation in various projects in
the Mekong River basin area. We invited China to
participate in the sub-regional growth areas of ASEAN.
9.
In strengthening our political dialogue and
cooperation in the region, we welcomed China’s readiness
to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southeast Asia and to sign the protocol of the Southeast
Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty. On the South
China Sea, we reaffirmed our resolve to address the issue
through dialogue and consultations.
ASEAN
and Japan
10.
In the meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, we had
a very useful exchange of views. We reaffirmed that ASEAN-Japan
relations are very important and we all agreed that there
is a need to strengthen our cooperation further.
11.
We called that Japan was one of ASEAN’s oldest
dialogue partners. Our relationship is based on friendship
and cooperation as well as shared interests in peace,
prosperity and development in the region. We noted that
Japanese support to various ASEAN initiatives had been
invaluable. Japan has contributed significantly to the
national development of ASEAN members, and was at the
forefront of international efforts to help Southeast Asia
adjust to the financial shocks of 1997.
12.
We also noted that Prime Minister Koizumi was
exerting his utmost efforts to reform the Japanese
economy. The return to a sustainable growth path would be
a welcome development for all ASEAN countries. We
expressed our hope that his efforts help reverse the
economic downturn in the region and encourage new flows of
Japanese investment towards Southeast Asia.
13.
To boost both trade and investment, our ministers
are examining ways to forge a closer economic
partnership between ASEAN and Japan. In this regard,
we welcomed the establishment of a group of experts to
study how ASEAN’s economic partnership with Japan can be
deepened. We agreed to give our full support to this group
in fostering a closer economic partnership as a means of
strengthening ASEAN-Japan cooperation.
14.
On the integration initiative launched in Singapore
last year, ASEAN leaders welcomed Japan’s assistance to
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam. We are pleased that
Japan will continue its commitment to assist ASEAN in
priority areas of economic integration. We also welcomed
Japan’s interest in developing the Mekong River basin,
especially in the area of infrastructure.
15.
We supported Japan’s offer to set up an ASEAN
Information and Human Network for Infectious Diseases
Control and expressed our appreciation to Japan for
offering new information technology projects at the ASEAN
Promotion Centre in Tokyo. The center is well positioned
to promote trade, investment and tourism between Southeast
Asia and Japan. We also viewed Japan’s idea of stepping
up environmental cooperation as important.
16.
We were glad to hear of Japan’s continued
commitment to help ASEAN in the field of training and
education. We asked Prime Minister Koizumi to explore the
possibility of setting up training and education
institutions in various ASEAN countries. The ASEAN leaders
also expressed the hope that Japan would continue offering
study trips for high-school students from Southeast Asia.
By giving our youth such valuable opportunities to visit
Japan, such trips further enhance understanding among all
of our people. They also help to raise ASEAN awareness in
Japan.
ASEAN
and Korea
17.
In the
meeting with President Kim, leaders noted that relations
between ASEAN and Korea had strengthened in recent years.
We expressed our deep appreciation for his commitment to
this process. Development cooperation between ASEAN and
Korea has progressed well and is also unique. Most
activities are future-oriented and involve youth or people
working in the fields of media and culture.
18.
In view of such progress, we agreed to broaden
the bases of cooperation and promote awareness of the
importance of relations among the people of Southeast Asia
and Korea. Leaders also agreed to explore ways to enhance
trade and economic links while encouraging the
participation of the private sector in bilateral
cooperative efforts.
19.
We expressed our appreciation of Korea’s offer of
assistance in the areas of human resources development,
information technology, health and the environment. As a
world leader in information technology, Korea is
particularly well placed – its expertise and know-how
can make a major contribution towards bridging the digital
divide in ASEAN countries. The ASEAN leaders also welcomed
Korea’s commitment to provide additional contributions
of $2 million to the ASEAN-Korea special fund for next
year.
20.
Korea conveyed its intention to carry out projects
to bridge socio-economic gaps both within ASEAN and
between Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. We invited
Korea to participate in ASEAN’s various sub-regional
growth areas. In this regard we invited Korea to be a core
member of ASEAN Mekong Basin Development Cooperation. The
ASEAN leaders also welcomed specific Korean proposals for
an artist fellowship program and an international network
and web design network.
21.
ASEAN leaders reaffirmed their support for
Korea’s policy of engagement and the continuation of the
reconciliation process between the Republic of Korea and
the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. They look
forward to the strengthened inter-Korean dialogue
including the holding of the Second Inter-Korean Summit.
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