[Title] PRESS STATEMENT, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ASEAN + CHINA SUMMIT, THE ASEAN + JAPAN SUMMIT, THE ASEAN + REPUBLIC OF KOREA SUMMIT, AND THE ASEAN - INDIA SUMMIT
1. We the ASEAN Leaders held a meeting with each of the Leaders of China, Japan, Republic of Korea and India. During the meetings all Leaders of the Dialogue Partners expressed their strong support for the Bali Concord II as a solid platform to achieve an ASEAN Community based on political-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation.
2. ASEAN Leaders welcome the commitment of the ASEAN Dialogue Partners to support a numbers of areas of ASEAN cooperation as follows:
-counter terrorism and other form of trans-national crimes;
-Economic integration of ASEAN, such as the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), and sub-regional initiatives such as GMS and BIMP-EAGA;
-Establishment of Asian Bond as an alternative for regional financing;
-Efforts on containing and avoiding of SARS, HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases.
3. Leaders discussed several important issues such as the nuclear question on Korean Peninsula, the future of East-Asian cooperation, poverty alleviation, human resources development and the development of infrastructures for ASEAN Integration
Consolidating ASEAN-China Cooperation.
4. In the meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao of China, we had a productive discussion on issues of common concern and reviewed developments in ASEAN+China relations in recent years. We observed that political and security cooperation between ASEAN and China had matured over the years. We agreed to further enhance ASEAN-China relations and partnership to strengthen trade and investment, technical cooperation, cultural and social dialogue to promote stability and prosperity in the region. In the economic field, the two sides had strengthened their mutually beneficial cooperation.
5. We were heartened that China had committed itself to enhancing its relation with ASEAN by acceding to the TAC in this very Summit. We welcomed China's accession to the TAC as a factor that would contribute further to the region's long-term peace and stability. It is yet another testimony to our deeper political trust and higher level of cooperation.
6. We signed a Joint Declaration of the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of ASEAN and the People's Republic of China on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. The Declaration would serve as a blueprint for fostering the partnership between the ASEAN states and China for peace and prosperity. It signing marked the beginning of a new stage in our relations. We welcomed the continued support of China to ASEAN in playing a key role in ASEAN Regional Forum. We hope that the existing disputes such as the issue of Spratlys Islands be resolved by peaceful dialogue.
7. We agreed to strengthen cooperation in five priority areas: politics, economy, social affairs, security, and regional and international issues. We agreed to promote high-level exchanges and contacts, consolidate and deepen mutual understanding and friendship and make use of mechanisms for dialogue and consultation mechanism at various levels. We also agreed to continue consultations on China's intention to accede to the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone.
8. ASEAN Leaders commended China Government for taking initiative that led to the convening of the Six-Party talks in order to mitigate the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. ASEAN Leaders expressed their hope that China would sustain its constructive role in the search for a possible comprehensive political resolution of the problem.
9. ASEAN Leaders and Prime Minister Wen agreed to expedite the implementation of the Joint Statement on Cooperation in the Field of Non-Traditional Security Issues; to hold an ASEAN-China security-related dialogue to enhance mutual understanding and promote peace and stability in the Region; and to follow-up the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. ASEAN Leaders expressed hope that this would lead to the eventual establishment of a code of conduct in the South China Sea. We also agreed to cooperate on major regional and international issues in order to sustain regional peace and stability, while upholding the authority and central role of the UN.
10. We pledged our joint efforts to break the US$100 billion mark by 2005; to intensify cooperation in key areas such as agriculture, information and telecommunications, and human resources development; and to support each other's endeavour for economic growth and development. ASEAN Leaders welcomed China's support for the economic integration of ASEAN, such as the BIMP-EAGA and Greater Mekong Sub-regional Cooperation (GMS). We welcomed China's plan to hold an ASEAN EXPO in Nanning, China, next year. We agreed to promote scientific and technological exchange as well as the establishment of network of East Asia Think Thank.
11. We welcomed the signing of the Protocol to Amend the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and China by the ASEAN Economic Ministers and China's MOFCOM Minister. The Agreement was concluded with an eye to the eventual establishment of an ASEAN-China FTA. We took note of the idea for accelerating the implementation of ASEAN-China CEP by some ASEAN member countries.
12. In the area of social cooperation, we agreed to continue our efforts in avoiding the SARS and other communicable diseases; to further activate exchanges in science and technology, education, HRD and culture as well as personnel exchanges; to improve the mechanisms for cooperation in these areas; and to give due importance to and strengthen youth exchanges and cooperation.
Consolidating ASEAN-Japan Cooperation
13. In the meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, we held a fruitful and cordial discussion on consolidating ASEAN-Japan relations. We agreed that partnership between ASEAN and Japan had contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. In order to strengthen the economic partnership between ASEAN and Japan, we signed the Framework for Comprehensive Economic Partnership between ASEAN and Japan. The ASEAN Leaders encouraged Japan to consider its accession to the TAC.
14. We reiterated the importance of ASEAN-Japan relations, which had been mutually beneficial and had matured in a period of over 30 years. We called for further development of our relations in order to enhance our cooperation at the bilateral, sub-regional and regional levels. We underlined the need to ensure that the development of relations at the sub-regional level would have a positive impact on ASEAN as a whole while at the same time contribute to the efforts of narrowing of development gaps. In this respect, we welcomed Japan's policy of ASEAN First.
15. We agreed to strengthen cooperation by inter-alia:
a. Promoting a comprehensive economic partnership through capacity building, narrowing the development gaps, engaging in sustainable development as well as establishing a free trade area in the future;
b. Celebrating the three decades of friendship and cooperation between the two
c. sides by observing the ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year;
d. Engaging in security cooperation in such areas as counter-terrorism, the fight against piracy and cross-border issues.
16. ASEAN Leaders underlined the importance of promoting ASEAN-Japan tourism cooperation and considered that travel advisory would negatively affect the flow of tourists to ASEAN countries.
17. We agreed to hold the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit on 11-12 December 2003 in Tokyo, Japan, which will be co-chaired by Indonesia, as the ASEAN Chair, and Japan. We hope that the Summit will provide future directions for ASEAN-Japan partnership and bring about substantive and tangible agreement that encompasses concrete action plans.
Consolidating ASEAN-Korea Cooperation
18. The ASEAN Leaders exchanged views with President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea on issues of common concern. We reaffirmed that ASEAN-Republic of Korea relations, which had flourished in recent years, were very important and agreed that there was a need to further strengthen our cooperation. We agreed to attach great importance to our Summit next year that would mark 15 years of ASEAN-Korea relations. We encouraged Republic of Korea to accede to the TAC as a foundation for an enhanced cooperation and partnership between ASEAN and Republic of Korea.
19. We held an enlightening discussion on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, taking note of the latest developments in the Six-Party Talks in Beijing last August. We reaffirmed our commitment to a peaceful solution of the nuclear issue facing the Korean Peninsula through dialogue. We welcome the convening of the Six-Party Talks as a positive step towards this end, and will work together to maintain peace and stability on the Peninsula. We hoped that the next talk would be held soon to maintain the momentum for dialogue, and that the ARF could be utilized as a forum to discuss this particular issue.
20. ASEAN Leaders welcomed the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Korea to continue to cooperate and deepen its relations with ASEAN by, among others, developing a comprehensive partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea for the 21st century, supporting the implementation of the IAI. In this regard, we tasked our Ministers to discuss the possibility of establishing a Free Trade Area.
21. ASEAN Leaders reiterated their appreciation of the support extended to the ASEAN region by the Republic of Korea through projects under the ASEAN-ROK Special Cooperation Fund (SCF) and the Future-Oriented Cooperation Projects Fund (FOCPF). The two funds had greatly benefited the region especially in the area of environmental conservation, science and technology, information and communication technology, economic development, education, and human resources development.
Enhancing ASEAN-India Cooperation
22. During our meeting with Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, of India, we had a very productive discussion on regional and international political and economic issues. ASEAN Leaders expressed satisfaction at the rapid development of ASEAN-India relations and cooperation within a short period of two years as an ASEAN dialogue partner. ASEAN Leaders warmly welcomed India's accession to the TAC, as it confirmed India's strong determination to contribute to peace and stability in the region.
23. We were pleased to witness the signing of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the Association of South East Asian Nations and the Republic of India. The agreement would strengthen and enhance economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two sides. We affirmed that the agreement would facilitate the effective economic integration of the new ASEAN member states and bridge the development gaps among ASEAN members.
24. In this regards, ASEAN Leaders welcomed various initiative proposed by India in the following areas: agriculture, biotechnology, human resources development and agro processing. We welcomed the establishment of a joint working group on agriculture. ASEAN Leaders considered that India's experiences in ICT could be shared and jointly developed by ASEAN member countries, to obtain mutual beneficial goals.
25. The ASEAN Leaders and Prime Minister Atal Bihari held talks on the issue of terrorism and agreed to enhance cooperation in fighting terrorism. Both sides adopted the Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism.