34th ASEAN ministerial meeting issues joint communique
The 34th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-34) adopted its joint communique at the closing
session on July 24, 2001.
The communique summed up the main contents of AMM-34, informing that the meeting had
focused discussions on developments of the regional and international situation, in political, security
and economic fields; reviewed ASEAN's activities over the past year; reaffirmed its continued
efforts to build ASEAN stable, united, integrated and outward looking; and discussed ways and
means to further enhance ASEAN's role and posture.
Following are excerpts of the main contents of the joint communique adopted by AMM-34:
- The joint communique reaffirmed the fundamental principles of ASEAN and the importance of
working together to meet the challenges and further enhance mutual trust and confidence;
continued efforts to build ASEAN stable, united, integrated and outward looking; and commitment
to accelerate the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) aimed at realising the
ASEAN Vision 2020.
- Noting the vigorous progress achieved in the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN
Integration (IAI), the joint communique emphasised the importance of the Hanoi Declaration on
Narrowing Development Gap for Closer ASEAN Integration adopted by this AMM-34, which
reaffirmed the common commitment in ASEAN to assist in the regional integration of the new
members of ASEAN (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) and elaborated specific
measures on the four areas of priority: infrastructure, human resources development, information
and communication technology, and regional economic integration. The joint communique called
upon ASEAN's friends and partners to contribute to and support this initiative. The joint
communique also renewed support for development projects in the Mekong river basin, especially
the East-West Corridor development project, and welcomed initial progress made in
Mekong-Ganges Co-operation.
- In assessing the overall international situation, the joint communique viewed that the positive
trend for peace, stability and co-operation continued to prevail, but noted certain new
developments including those which might affect East Asia and South East Asia in political,
security and economic fields; expressed concern over the global economic outlook, especially the
economic downturn in the US, Japan and Europe, and the negative impacts of globalisation; called
upon the major powers to further contribute to strengthening peace, security, co-operation and
development in the region and in the world.
- In reviewing the region's situation, the ministers and heads of delegations paid special attention to
new developments in Indonesia. In this spirit, the joint communique informed that: The Ministers
and heads of delegation welcomed the political transition and election of President Megawati
Sukarnoputri in Indonesia. They expressed their hope that this orderly and peaceful transition
would lead to political stability and speedy economic recovery in Indonesia. They reiterated their
support for the territorial integrity and national unity of Indonesia. They believed that the stability
and prosperity of Indonesia would contribute positively to peace, stability and prosperity of the
region.
- On political and security co-operation, the joint communique emphasised the importance of the
Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in South East Asia (TAC) and the Rules of Procedure of the
High Council of the TAC adopted by AMM-34 and renewed the call for extra-regional States,
particularly the major powers, to accede to the TAC; expressed high appreciation for the progress
made in implementing the South East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, and
welcomed the first direct consultation between ASEAN and the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS)
in Hanoi in May 2001, considering it a sign of significant progress towards encouraging the
accession of the NWS to the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty; noted positive developments in
the ARF process, in both Track I and Track II, including the three papers to be adopted by the
Eighth ARF, namely the Paper on Concepts and Principles of Preventive Diplomacy, the Terms of
Reference for the ARF Experts Eminent Persons Register and the Paper on the Enhanced Role of
the ARF chairman; and emphasised that confidence building measures continued to be the
overriding motive and that ASEAN played the leading role in the ARF process.
- The joint communique informed that the meeting had reviewed developments related to the
Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, welcomed the progress in the consultations between
ASEAN and China towards the adoption of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea, encouraged the
continued exercise of self-restraint by all parties concerned and the promotion of confidence
building measures in this area and welcomed their commitment to resolving disputes in the East
Sea by peaceful means in conformity with recognised principles of international law including the
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as well as to ensuring the freedom of
navigation in the area.
- The joint communique reiterated ASEAN's call upon the WTO to speed up the process for the
accession of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to the WTO and its support for the participation of
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in APEC's Working Groups pending their eventual admission into
APEC. The joint communique supported China's early accession to the WTO and welcomed
China's APEC chairmanship for the year 2001.
- The joint communique welcomed the continued economic recovery in ASEAN and the
acceleration of ASEAN's co-operation and economic integration, including those related to
AFTA, AICO, AIA, e-ASEAN Framework Agreement, Visit ASEAN Campaign.
- The joint communique emphasised the importance of ASEAN's relations with its dialogue
partners and with other countries, especially its co-operation under the ASEAN+3 framework
with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and expressed high appreciation for their assistance
in the implementation of ASEAN's priorities and the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA).
- The meeting expressed high appreciation to Vietnam for its efforts and contributions during its
chairmanship of ASEAN and in the successful organisation of this AMM-34 in Hanoi.
Nhan Dan - July 25, 2001.
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