[Title] CHAIRMAN ’S STATEMENT OF THE 17th ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT
1.The 17th ASEAN-Japan Summit, chaired by the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. U Thein Sein, was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on 12 November 2014. The Summit was attended by all Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States and H.E. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan.
2.We were satisfied with the substantive progress and achievements gained in implementing the Joint Declaration for Enhancing the ASEAN-Japan Partnership for Prospering Together, its Plan of Action (PoA) 2011ー2015 and the Vision Statement. We recognised that these achievements would contribute significantly to our efforts for ASEAN Community building and towards further regional integration.
3.The ASEAN Leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen relations with Dialogue Partners and external parties. To this light, the ASEAN Leaders encouraged Japan to continue to support the implementation of the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) and the Bali Declaration on ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations (Bali Concord III) and developing the ASEAN Community Post-2015 Vision.
4.We were pleased to note the steady progress achieved in the dialogue relations between ASEAN and Japan over the past forty-one years. We noted the significant outcomes of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit held from 13 to 15 December 2013. We were pleased with the Joint Statement of
”Hand in Hand, Facing Regional and Global Challenges" and the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation that we adopted at the Summit. The medium and long-term vision envisioned in these documents will further strengthen our dialogue relations.
5.We welcomed the executive report on the progress of implementation of the Vision Statement as well as the progress of implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action (PoA) 2011-2015.
6.ASEAN Leaders acknowledged Japan’s active role in the various regional cooperation frameworks which are aimed at ensuring for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. We expressed appreciation for Japan’s important contribution in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as APT,EAS, ARF and ADMM Plus. In this regard, we welcomed the ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting to be held in Bagan, Myanmar, on 19 November 2014.
7.Recognising the implications of the evolving regional and global security environment, we agreed to enhance our cooperation to generate a more peaceful and stable international security environment. ASEAN Leaders welcomed Japan ’s initiative “Proactive Contribution to Peace”，which is aimed at ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the international community. In this regard, ASEAN Leaders noted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s keynote address at the Shangri La Dialogue 2014, which outlined his ideas on the rule of law at sea and other values such as freedom and democracy.
8.We reaffirmed the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes and issues in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We shared the view that the South China Sea dispute has to be addressed peacefully without use of force, by exercising self-restraint and avoiding actions that would complicate the situation including unilateral actions. We further underscored the full and effective implementation of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and called for continued substantive consultations for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
9.We renewed our commitment to fight terrorism and all forms of organised crime. In this regard, we welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Japan Joint Declaration for Cooperation in the Fight against Terrorism and Transnational Crime.
10. In order to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region, we appreciated Japan’s support for the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) Symposium on Peace and Reconciliation Initiative held in Manila in April 2014.
11. We were pleased to note the steady momentum of ASEAN-Japan bilateral trade and investment. Total trade between ASEAN and Japan reached USD 240.9 billion in 2013 which accounted for 9.6% of total ASEAN trade. Japan is currently ASEAN ’s third largest trading partner following China and the EU. Foreign direct investment (FDI）from Japan into ASEAN reached USD 22.9 billion in 2013, making Japan the second largest source of FDI for ASEAN with 18.7% of total FDI inflows in 2013.
12. We reiterated our commitment to double trade and investment flows by 2022. We attached importance to the ASEAN-Japan Economic Forum held on 15 December 2013 and recognised the important contribution of industry and academia to the ASEAN-Japan 10 year Economic Cooperation Roadmap.
13. We welcomed the 20th ASEAN Economic Ministers(AEM) and the Japan Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Consultations on 26 August 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw. We welcomed the significant progress made towards concluding the trade in services and investment negotiations of the ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement. We looked forward to the realisation of the AJCEP Agreement, and expressed confidence that it would con仕ibute to our efforts to enhance regional economic integration.
14. We acknowledged the progress of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which contributes to regional economic integration as well as enhancing economic cooperation among the participating countries. We looked forward to its timely conclusion by the end of 2015.
15. We welcomed the 7th Dialogue between the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Federation of the Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) held in Manila, on 24 June 2014. We took note
of FJCCIA’s keen interest in resolving issues resulting from the differences in
the implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and the ASEAN+ 1 FTAs.
16. We acknowledged the improvements in the ASEAN-Japan 10-year Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap such as support for the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, timely completion of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, increase of business partnership between ASEAN and Japan, closer cooperation in intellectual property and increased technology transfer from Japan to ASEAN.
17. We expressed the need to further promote industrial development particularly through human resource development, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) cooperation, and upgrading supply chain networks across the region. To this light, ASEAN Leaders encouraged Japan to foster cooperation in the Strategic Action Plan for SME Development Post-2015.
18. The ASEAN Leaders looked forward to Japan's continued cooperation and support for narrowing the development gap in the region particularly through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan, economic corridors, special economic zones, as well as sub-regional cooperation areas through the implementation of Tokyo Strategy 2012 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation and its Action Plan.
19. We noted the progress in the implementation of activities under the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership (AJTP). We welcomed the initiatives proposed by Japan at the 11th ASEAN-Japan Transport Ministers' Meeting in Pakse City, Lao PDR in December 2013. We looked forward to the implementation of these initiatives including cooperation for promotion of Public-Private Partnership. We also looked forward to the conclusion of a regional air services agreement between ASEAN and Japan.
20. The ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s continued support for the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and connectivity in the East Asia Region. We anticipated the establishment of greater maritime connectivity and sharing experiences in promoting Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
21. We attached great importance to enhancing our cooperation in the field of ICT through the ”ASEAN Smart Network Initiative”. We urged further collaboration in institutional development including increasing regulatory coherence, improving rules and regulations and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in business circles and fighting against corruption.
22. Recognising both ASEAN and Japan continued to face natural disasters, we committed to cooperate closely in the area of disaster management. To this light，the ASEAN Leaders urged Japan to continue to support and cooperate in the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER） and the full operationalisation of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). We noted the successful outcomes of the 6th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Bangkok from 22 to 26 June 2014, including the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration on Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia and the Pacific 2014. We welcomed the holding of the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan in March 2015.
23. The ASEAN Leaders encouraged Japan to support the full operationalisation of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) and to facilitate cooperation with other relevant institutions like the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.
24. We attached importance of people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges in order to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between ASEAN and Japan. To this light, ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan's cooperation to develop closer relations and 企iendship among the youth of ASEAN and Japan. We looked forward to the ASEAN-Japan Youth Leaders Forum: Roles of Youth in the ASEAN-Japan relations in the 21st Century to be held in Cambodia from 30 November to 2 December 2014. We also appreciated the ASEAN-Japan Young Entrepreneurs Forum: Partnership for Growth held in Cambodia from 26 to 28 February 2014.
25. The ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s ”ASEAN-Japan Health Initiative”. The ASEAN Leaders encouraged Japan to support ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen health systems in order to contribute to promoting health services and livelihoods, including healthy lifestyle promotion and prevention of illness such as non-communicable diseases in ASEAN and to implement the Universal Health Coverage （UHC) in accordance with the ASEAN Strategic Framework on Health Development (2010-2015).
26. We looked forward to sharing scientific and technological know-how and expertise on environmentally friendly technology in order to achieve low carbon growth in the region, one of the key elements to achieving sustainable economic growth. We also highlighted the importance of high efficiency coal fired power generation as an effective measure to reduce green house gas emissions.
27. We were committed to enhancing cooperation in energy security through the sharing of best practices, technology transfer, and cooperating in research and development of new and renewable energy sources, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy to tackle the growing issue of energy security.
28. We reaffirmed our commitment to closer cooperation to strengthen the ASEAN-Japan Centre. We attached importance to the Centre taking an active role in the promotion of cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges.
29. We recognised the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability of the Korean Peninsula and called for the denuclearisation of the Peninsula through peaceful dialogue including creating the conditions for the resumption of Six-Party Talks. We shared our concern over the launching of missiles by the DPRK. We reiterated our support for full compliance with all relevant UNSC resolutions and the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. We also emphasized the importance of addressing humanitarian concerns of the international community as well as the abduction issue.
30. We reiterated our commitment to continue working closely on regional and international issues of mutual interest and common concern. We expressed our shared vision for a stronger partnership which would contribute towards the lasting peace, prosperity and well-being of our peoples.