Chairman’s
Statement of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) 10+1 Sessions
11
July 2012, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
1.
The ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) 10 + 1 Session with 10
ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners, namely Australia, Canada, China, the European Union
(EU), India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation,
and the United States of America were held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 11 July
2012.
2.
Overall, the relations, cooperation and partnership between ASEAN and
each of the ASEAN Dialogue Partners have been substantial, strong and
productive, advancing the mutual interests between ASEAN and all of the
Dialogue Partners. While some Dialogue Partners have strengthened and deepened
their cooperation and partnership with ASEAN, others have elevated their
relations with ASEAN to a higher plane, with the goal of making positive contributions
to ASEAN integration, and community building. At the same time, all of ASEAN’s
Dialogue Partners have underlined their commitment and strong support for ASEAN
Centrality in all of the regional mechanisms and frameworks which ASEAN had
initiated, such as the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation, the ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting
(ADMM) Plus, among others.
3.
For each ASEAN meeting that had been convened with its Dialogue Partners,
the deliberations centered on the topics of “Exchange of Views on Regional and
International Issues” and “Review of Cooperation and Future Direction” with all
of the Dialogue Partners. For the exchange of views on regional and
international issues, the discussions with all ASEAN Dialogue Partners focused
on the issues of the situation in the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea,
the progress of development in Myanmar, maritime security, transnational
crimes, among others. With regard to the review of cooperation and future
direction of relations between ASEAN and each of the Dialogue Partners, the
meetings discussed the need to strengthen and expand cooperation, to translate
the action plans into actual implementation, as well as to identify and carry
out priority areas of cooperation, among others.
Australia
4.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with Australia was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. K.
Shangmugam, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Law of the Republic of
Singapore, and H.E. Mr. Bob Carr, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia.
5.
ASEAN expressed its appreciation for Australia’s contribution through the
ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II (AADCPII) for the
period of 2008-2015, and the economic cooperation support program for the
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), in supporting
ASEAN’s economic integration.
6.
The Meeting noted with appreciation Australia’s ongoing work in the
region to support the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), including the
improved infrastructure connectivity. The Meeting called for further
cooperation between ASEAN and Australia in utilizing the public-private
partnership scheme to support the priority projects under MPAC.
7.
The Meeting emphasized the importance of the establishment of
ASEAN-Australia Joint Cooperation Committee (AA-JCC) in 2011 as a new
consultative mechanism to further enhance and strengthen the Dialogue
Partnership, including reviewing and guiding ASEAN-Australia development
cooperation; providing direction to increase the effectiveness and efficiency
of cooperation.
8.
The Meeting expressed high appreciation to Singapore as the outgoing
Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations and welcomed the
Philippines as the incoming Country Coordinator.
Canada
9.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with Canada was co-chaired by H.E. Dr. Surapong
Tovichakchaikul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Thailand, and H.E.
Mr. John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
10.
The Meeting took note the progress of the implementation of the
ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada
Enhanced Partnership (2010-2015), including the new achievements in human
rights, transnational crimes, trade and investment, climate change and research
cooperation. In this connection, as next year would be the mid-term review of
the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2010-2015), the Meeting agreed on the need to
speed up the implementation of the Plan of Action in an effective manner. The
Meeting also took note with satisfaction other development over the past 3
years, including Canada’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southeast Asia (TAC) and the Third Protocol Amending the TAC, and the adoption
of the Joint Declaration on Trade and Investment.
11.
The Meeting highlighted the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of
ASEAN-Canada Dialogue Relations in 2012 and welcomed the successful
implementation of the List of Activities to Commemorate the 35th Anniversary
endorsed by ASEAN and Canada Foreign Ministers at the PMC in July 2011 in Bali.
12.
The Meeting appreciated the reaffirmation of Canada’s commitment to
enhance her constructive role in promoting peace and prosperity, and welcomed a
number of recent high level visits to the region by the Canadian Prime Minister
and Ministers, which reinvigorated Canada’s engagement with ASEAN and Asia. The
Meeting agreed that ASEAN-Canada partnership could be elevated by deepening
existing cooperation in various areas including trade and investment, promotion
of human rights and addressing common threats of terrorism, transnational
crime, disaster, and pandemic while expanding the scope of cooperation to
encompass other areas of high potentials, notably connectivity, education, and
HRD, food and energy security, technology and innovation. The Meeting also
welcomed Canada’s interest in the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN
Connectivity.
13.
The Meeting Welcomed Canada’s support to the ASEAN Economic Community
through financial contribution and technical assistance by focusing on the
areas of trade and investment promotion. In this regard, the Meeting encouraged
Canada to explore more cooperation and infrastructure network linkages which
would significantly contribute to the bridging the development gap in ASEAN.
The Meeting also welcomed the inaugural ASEAN Economic Ministers-Canada
Consultation in August-September 2012.
14.
The Meeting recognized the recently formalized mechanism of the
ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to further strengthen and
enhance development cooperation between ASEAN and Canada.
15.
Canada reiterated its keen interest in the region’s evolving
architecture, notably ADMM Plus and EAS.
16.
The Meeting thanked Thailand as the outgoing Country Coordinator for
ASEAN-Canada Dialogue Relations and welcomed Singapore as the incoming Country
Coordinator.
China
17.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with China was co-chaired by H.E. Pham Binh Minh,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and H.E.
Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
18.
The Meeting expressed satisfaction with the significant progress made
within the framework of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations over the past 20 years,
in particular with the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement the
Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and
Prosperity 2011-2015 in wide range of areas of cooperation and through various
programmes of activities.
19.
In this connection, the Meeting noted with satisfaction the various
meaningful activities conducted last year to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of
the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and recalled the outcome of the 14th
ASEAN-China Summit. The Meeting welcomed the convening of the inaugural Meeting
of the Joint Council of the ASEAN-China Centre in Beijing on 18 May 2012 and
expressed hope that the Centre will help promote trade, investment, tourism,
education and cultural exchange between ASEAN and China. The Meeting also
welcomed the appointment of the first resident Ambassador of China
to ASEAN, which would further enhance its cooperation and coordination with
ASEAN.
20.
The Meeting noted the good progress in the implementation of the
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), including
the adoption of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the DOC at the PMC+1
Session with China on 22 July 2011. In this regard, the Meeting further
reaffirmed the importance of the DOC, which embodies the collective commitment
of the ASEAN Member States and China in promoting peace, stability, and mutual
trust and ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea,
and committed to fully and effectively implementing DOC, especially on the
occasion of the 10th Anniversary of DOC this year. The Meeting appreciated
China’s strong commitment to support the implementation of the Master Plan on
ASEAN Connectivity. In this connection, the Meeting welcomed the initiative of
a meeting between the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) and the
Chinese Task Force on Connectivity to implement the decision of the 14th
ASEAN-China Summit related to connectivity.
21.
The Meeting further appreciated China’s proposal to establish an
institutionalised communication with ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian
Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). The Ministers looked forward to
the signing of ASEAN-China MOU on Disaster Management Cooperation and the
setting up of ASEAN-China Relief Material Reserve Pool.
22.
The Meeting thanked Viet Nam as the outgoing Country Coordinator for
ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and welcomed Thailand as the incoming Country
Coordinator.
The European Union
23.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with EU was co-chaired by Honourable Pehin Lim
Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II of Brunei Darussalam, and
the Right Honourable Lady Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European
Commission.
24.
The Meeting reviewed ASEAN-EU cooperation with satisfaction on the
implementation of the Plan of Action to implement the Nuremberg Declaration on
the ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership, and its two-year periodic list of activities.
The Meeting also welcomed various activities as reflected in the EU’s
Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2011-2013.
25.
The Meeting recalled the successful outcome of the 19th ASEAN-EU
Ministerial Meeting in April 2012, in which Ministers adopted the Bandar Seri
Begawan Plan of Action to Strengthen the ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership
(2013-2017) as for the follow-up to the current Plan of Action and launched two
important joint cooperation programmes, namely the ASEAN Regional Integration
Support by the EU (ARISE) and the Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument
(READI). In this regard, the Meeting looked forward to their timely, effective
and comprehensive implementation, on the basis of equal partnership and mutual
benefit.
26.
The Meeting also welcomed the EU’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which serves as a key instrument in
governing inter-state relations and contributing to peace, security, stability,
and prosperity in the region.
27.
The Meeting expressed appreciation for the EU’s commitment to assist in
strengthening the capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat. We looked forward to
helping each other to build and develop capacity in areas of mutual interest
and benefit. In this regard, we tasked the Committee of Permanent
Representatives to ASEAN to work with the EU on the modalities for such
cooperation.
28.
While the ASEAN-EU partnership has evolved significantly, the Meeting
agreed on the importance of enhancing mutual understanding on how the ASEAN and
EU mechanisms work by sharing best practices and exchange of officials between
ASEAN and EU. In addition, ASEAN invited EU to support the enhancement of the
capacity of ASEAN Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster
Management (AHA Centre).
29.
The Meeting also welcomed the EU’s initiative to enhance cooperation in
strengthening the human resource capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat and tasked
the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) to discuss the
modalities with EU.
30.
Noting the growing volume of trade and investment between both regions,
the Meeting looked forward to enhancing this relationship further through
deepening dialogue and consultations between ASEAN Economic Ministers and the
EU Trade Commissioner, as well as with and between the business communities of
both regions with the view of fostering public-private sector partnerships. The
Meeting also recognised the importance of realising a free trade area to
enhance economic cooperation between both regions and in this regard, the
Meeting noted the EU's on-going FTA negotiations with individual ASEAN Member
States are important “building blocks” of a region-to-region FTA.
31.
The Meeting thanked Brunei Darussalam as the outgoing Country Coordinator
for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations and welcomed Viet Nam as the incoming Country
Coordinator.
India
32.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with India was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. HOR
Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation of Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. S. M. Krishna,
Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India.
33.
The Meeting took note with satisfaction the good development highlighted
in the Progress Report on the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action
to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared
Prosperity (2010-2015), and agreed on the need to speed up the effective and
full implementation of the Plan of Action. The Meeting called for the early
conclusion of the negotiations on ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment
Agreements with greater understanding and flexibility among parties concerned.
34.
The Meeting highlighted the importance of transportation networks between
Southeast Asia and South Asia, and welcomed India’s commitment to support the
Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity through both hard and soft infrastructure
linkages. In this regard, the Meeting called for the early convening of the
ASEAN-India Transport Ministers’ Meeting to discuss the development of the
India-Myanmar-Lao PDR-Vietnam-Cambodia Highway and the India-Myanmar-Thailand
Trilateral Highway with the extension to Lao PDR and Cambodia. The Meeting also
encouraged both sides to look into the possibility of taking concrete steps
towards the development of Mekong-India Economic Corridor linking the east
coast of India to the Southeast Asian region. The Meeting welcomed Cambodia’s
proposal to set up the ASEAN-India Joint Committee on Connectivity to
coordinate and oversee all cooperative activities related to connectivity. The
Meeting also underlined the need to interlink ASEAN-India regions through
maritime connectivity under the umbrella of MPAC.
35.
The Meeting welcomed the good progress in the drafting of the final
report of the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG), to be submitted to the
Leaders of ASEAN and India at the 10th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, in November 2012. The Meeting also expressed confidence that the
report would provide key practical recommendations to further strengthening and
advancing ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations to a higher plane.
36.
The Meeting looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN-India
Commemorative Summit in New Delhi, India, on 20-21 December 2012 to mark 20
years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations. In this connection, the Meeting agreed
to conduct a series of meaningful activities to promote awareness on
ASEAN-India dialogue relations, including the ASEAN-India Car Rally and the
Cultural Festival. The Meeting also agreed to have a Vision Statement to be
adopted by the Leaders at the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi, to
further enhance the good friendship and cooperation between the two sides.
37.
The Meeting thanked Cambodia as the outgoing Country Coordinator for
ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations and welcomed Brunei Darussalam as the incoming
Country Coordinator.
Japan
38.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with Japan was co-chaired by H.E. Marty M.
Natalegawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia and H.E. Koichiro Gemba,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
39.
The Meeting noted with satisfaction the good progress made in the
implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action (2011-2015) since its adoption
by the Leaders at the 14th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Bali last year, and looked
forward to the submission of the Progress Report on the Implementation of the
ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action to the 15th ASEAN-Japan Summit, in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, in November 2012.
40.
The Meeting noted the status of the negotiations on the ASEAN-Japan Trade
in Services and Investment Agreements and reaffirmed the need to continue these
negotiations for the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The Meeting was also pleased to note the good progress in the development of a
roadmap for ASEAN-Japan Economic Relations in the next 10 years, and expressed
confidence that the roadmap would be completed in time for submission to the
18th AEM-METI Consultations in Cambodia.
41.
The Meeting took note of the successful ASEAN Roadshow to Japan on 25-28
April 2012, which helped to promote investment and trade as well as and
economic cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.
42.
The ASEAN Ministers highly appreciated Japan’s strong support to the
implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), particularly
through the IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015) and were convinced that Japan remained
committed to helping narrow the development gaps in ASEAN through more active
contribution to sub-regional cooperation frameworks.
43.
The ASEAN Ministers also noted with satisfaction the 33 flagships
projects identified by Japan related to ASEAN Economic Corridors (East-West
Economic Corridor, Southern Economic Corridor and Maritime Economic Corridors
and soft infrastructure in whole ASEAN) for enhancing ASEAN Connectivity. The
Meeting requested both sides to speed up the project approval process so that
the projects could be implemented as soon as possible.
44.
The Meeting recognized the confirmation from the government of Japan on
the extension of the use of the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) until March
2013 with a deadline for project submission by September 2012. The Meeting also
welcomed the implementation of the Kizuna (Bond) project and the ASEAN
Ministers hoped for similar projects to take place in the future to strengthen
the connectivity between youth of ASEAN, Japan and the wider region.
45.
The Meeting reiterated that disaster management and emergency response
are issues of highest priory for ASEAN and Japan. The ASEAN Ministers welcomed
Japan’s strong support for the AHA Centre, through projects such as
“Establishment of an Integrated Information and Communication Technology System
to strengthen the operation of the AHA Centre” and Establishment of a Disaster
Emergency Logistic System for ASEAN”. The Meeting appreciated the progress in
establishing the “Disaster Management Network for the ASEAN Region, which Japan
had proposed on the occasion of the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers Meeting in
July 2011, through the cooperation provided by Japan such as capacity building
of the AHA Center. The Meeting also welcomed that Japan will seek to expand its
cooperation with ASEAN and ASEAN Member States in the area of utilization of
outer space, including the possibility of expanding the scope of their
cooperation in the ASEAN Disaster Management Network in the region.
46.
The ASEAN Ministers agreed on the importance of people-to-people contacts
in building closer relations between ASEAN and Japan. In this regard, the
Ministers welcomed Japan’s new youth exchange programme entitled “Kizuna
Project” aimed at promoting global understanding of Japan’s revival efforts in
response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and to promote close ties and
nurture friendship among the youth of ASEAN and Japan.
47.
The Meeting agreed to carry out commemorative activities throughout 2013
to mark the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations. The Meeting
welcomed the establishment of a track II dialogue among intellectual of ASEAN
Member States and Japan which would be submitting a mid-to-long term vision of
ASEAN Japan relations to the ASEAN PMC Plus One Session with Japan in 2013.
48.
The Meeting also looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative
Summit in 2013 to mark the 40th year of ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations.
49.
The Meeting thanked Indonesia as the outgoing Country Coordinator for
ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations and welcomed Cambodia as the incoming Country
Coordinator.
Republic of Korea
50.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with the Republic of Korea (ROK) was co-chaired
by H.E. Mr. Alounkeo KITTIKHOUN, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR,
and H.E. Kim Sung-han, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the
Republic of Korea.
51.
The Meeting expressed its satisfaction with the progress in cooperation
made after the elevation of the ASEAN-ROK relations from comprehensive
partnership to the strategic partnership in October 2010. The Meeting also
noted with satisfaction the progress made in the implementation of the Joint
Declaration on ASEAN-Republic of Korea Strategic Partnership for Peace and
Prosperity and its Plan of Action (2011-2015).
52.
The Meeting welcomed the progress in the establishment of the Mission of
the ROK to ASEAN in Jakarta, which would certainly pave the way to further
strengthen and increase dialogue cooperation between ASEAN and the ROK.
53.
The meeting noted with appreciation good work carried out by the
ASEAN-Korea Centre in promoting awareness on ASEAN-ROK relations, in
particular, in trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges through the
organization of a series of activities. The meeting expressed its appreciation
to the Lao PDR and Thailand who have already seconded their officials to the
Centre and encouraged the next secondment of officials by respective ASEAN
Member States to Centre.
54.
The Meeting welcomed the signing of the Agreement between the Governments
of the ASEAN Member States and the ROK on Forest Cooperation at the sideline of
the 14th ASEAN-ROK Summit on 18 November 2011 in Bali, Indonesia. The Meeting
agreed to explore and develop concrete projects in the area of forestry. In
this regard, the Meeting looked forward to the entry into force of the Agreement
and tasked relevant sectors to effectively implement the Agreement, which would
positively contribute to the socio-economic development, environmental
protection and biodiversity conservation, as well as to further strengthen
cooperation in the fields of forestry and building the capacity in dealing with
climate change.
55.
The Meeting also welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating
Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) in
November 2011, Bali, Indonesia, and looked forward to the support from the ROK
to the Center.
56.
The Meeting thanked Lao PDR as the outgoing Country Coordinator for
ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations and welcome Indonesia as the incoming Country
Coordinator.
New Zealand
57.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with New Zealand was co-chaired by H.E.
Dato’ Sri Anifah Haji Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and
Honourable Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. ASEAN
congratulated the Government of New Zealand on the successful General Elections
held on 26 November 2011. ASEAN expressed its confidence that the Rt. Hon.
Prime Minister John Key’s policy towards ASEAN would continue to strengthen and
enrich the ASEAN-New Zealand partnership to deliver concrete benefits to the
peoples of ASEAN and New Zealand. ASEAN appreciated the continuity of New
Zealand’s strong commitment and steadfast support for ASEAN centrality in its
community-building efforts and development of regional architecture.
58.
The Ministers was encouraged by the progress made to realize commitments
contained in the Joint Declaration for an ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive
Partnership and its Plan of Action (2010-2015). The Meeting was happy to note
that the four flagship initiatives were currently being implemented and that
plans were already underway for their implementation in the second year. New
Zealand welcomed the Global Movement of Moderates and looked forward to working
with ASEAN to promote this initiative. New Zealand also expressed readiness to
work with ASEAN in the area of connectivity to facilitate the narrowing of
development gaps in ASEAN and promote greater integration within the
Asia-Pacific region.
59.
The Meeting stressed the importance of the implementation of the
Agreement for an ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA),
especially the five-year AANZFTA Economic Cooperation Support Program, with
confidence that mutual benefits that have been enjoyed since the coming into
force of the Agreement in January 2010 would continue to intensify. New Zealand
welcomed the ASEAN Framework for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
and looked forward to collaborating with ASEAN in this area.
60.
The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of continuing cooperation on
disaster preparedness and response. In this regard, the Meeting encouraged New
Zealand to support the AHA Centre and the implementation of the Work Programme
(2010-2015) of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency
Response (AADMER).
61.
The Foreign Ministers also took note of the change in the nomenclature of
the ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Management Committee to Joint Cooperation Committee
and its revised Terms of Reference.
62.
The Meeting expressed appreciation to Malaysia for its role as Country
Coordinator for the period July 2009 to July 2012 and looked forward to working
with Lao PDR as the new Country Coordinator for the period July 2012 to July
2015 in further deepening and strengthening ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue
Relations.
The
Russian Federation
63.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with the Russian Federation was co-chaired by
H.E. Mr. Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the
Union of Myanmar, and H.E. Mr. Igor Vladimirrovich Morgulov, Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
64.
The Meeting noted the steady progress of the implementation of the
Comprehensive Program of Action to Promote Cooperation between ASEAN and the
Russian Federation (2005-2015), including trade and investment, countering
terrorism and transnational crime, science and technology, and tourism.
65.
The Meeting also noted with pleasure the various meaningful activities
undertaken to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-Russia Dialogue
Partnership, including organizing cultural events on the sideline of the 19th
ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in November 2012 in Bali, Indonesia, which
contributed significantly to the promotion of mutual understanding and
friendship as well as the advancement of the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations.
66.
The ASEAN Ministers expressed its appreciation to the decision of
Government of the Russian Federation to allocate USD 1.5 million annually to
the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Partnership Financial Fund (DPFF) in attestation of
Russia’s firm commitment to further enhance dialogue partnership with ASEAN.
67.
The Meeting encouraged Russia to support the implementation of the IAI
Work Plan II and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC). The Meeting also
encouraged the finalization of the new Plan of Action of the ASEAN-Russian
Federation Working Group on Science and Technology (2012-2015) with the view to
enhance and promote the cooperation between ASEAN and the Russian Federation in
the field of science and technology.
68.
The Meeting also witnessed the official launching of the website of the
ASEAN Centre in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).
69.
The Meeting thanked Myanmar as the outgoing Country Coordinator for
ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Relations and welcomed Malaysia as the
incoming Country Coordinator.
United States of America
70.
The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with the U.S. was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Albert
F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, and H.E. Ms.
Hillary R. Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States of America.
71.
The Meeting welcomed the progress in the implementation of the Plan of
Action to Implement the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership for Enduring Peace and
Prosperity (2011-2015) across all the three of ASEAN’s Political and Security,
Economic and Socio-Cultural Community. The Meeting reviewed progress on other
initiatives announced by the United States during the 3rd ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’
Meeting. The U.S. announced the Asia Pacific Strategic Engagement Initiative, a
new initiative designed to increase U.S. foreign assistance to the region,
reaffirming the United States’ commitment to advance its partnership with
ASEAN.
72.
The Meeting noted with satisfaction the enhancing and expanding of the
ASEAN-U.S. cooperation, which has contributed to the maintenance of peace,
stability, and prosperity in the region. ASEAN welcomed the United States’
proposal for the “Commitment to Connectivity: ASEAN-U.S. Business Forum” to be
held on 13 July in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Business Forum will bring together
ASEAN and the U.S. senior officials and business leaders to discuss how best to
align public and private efforts to support ASEAN integration and connectivity.
The Ministers also welcomed the second ASEAN Economic Ministers Road Show to
the U.S. in the 2nd half of 2012.
73.
The Meeting welcomed the outcome of the 1st Meeting of ASEAN-U.S. Eminent
Persons Group (EPG) held on 20-21 May 2012 in Manila, Philippines and looked
forward to the 2nd Meeting to be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar in September
2012. The Meeting encouraged the EPG to finalize its Report which contained
concrete and practical recommendations for submission to the 4th ASEAN-U.S.
Leaders’ Meeting, in Phnom Penh, in November 2012.
74.
The Meeting noted the significant advances under the ASEAN-US Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The TIFA Work Plan for 2012 has
identified among other activities the ASEAN-U.S. Business Summit to be held on
the sidelines of the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) in August 2012 and
2nd Trade and Environment Dialogue. The Meeting also welcomed the U.S.’ support
to the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, which
constitutes an important component for bridging the development gap within
ASEAN. ASEAN welcomed efforts by the United States to increase its investment
in the Lower Mekong Region through the Lower Mekong Initiative to advance ASEAN
integration and connectivity.
75.
The Meeting recognized the growing significance of maritime issues and
cooperation in the region and underscored the importance to regional peace and
stability, of ensuring maritime safety, freedom of navigation, respect for
international law, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the South China Sea.
The Meeting expressed support for the full and effective implementation of the
ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, as
well as the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct, in accordance with
universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982
UNCLOS. The meeting agreed an effective Code of Conduct should create a
rules-based framework for managing disputes and regulating the conduct of
parties in the South China Sea.
76.
The Meeting emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties
between ASEAN and the United States. The Meeting expressed satisfaction with
the results of the April visit to the United States by the ASEAN Commission for
the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. The U.S.
looked forward to the planned September visit of the Committee of the Permanent
Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) to the U.S. The Meeting looked forward to the
participation of the 1st batch of students under the U.S.-Brunei Partnership
for English Language Education in ASEAN later this year. ASEAN also welcomed
the U.S. announcement to launch an ASEAN Fullbright pilot programme. The
Meeting commended efforts to invigorate science and technology cooperation,
particularly in the area of health service, at the May consultation between the
ASEAN Committee of Science and Technology and the United States in Nay Pyi Taw.
77.
The Meeting looked forward to the early accession of the Nuclear Weapons
States (P5) to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Protocol,
which would significantly contribute towards general and complete nuclear
disarmament and the promotion of international peace and security in the wider
region.
78.
The Meeting thanked the Philippines as the outgoing Country Coordinator
for ASEAN-U.S. Relations and welcomed Myanmar as the incoming Country
Coordinator.