Database
on Basic Documents of Japan-ASEAN Relations
Department of
Advanced Social and International Studies,
Joint Statement on
28 November 1999
The Heads of
State/Government of Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, People's Republic
of China, Republic of Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao People's
Democratic Republic, Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of
Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, and Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the
Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Malaysia at the ASEAN+3 Summit
in Manila, expressed satisfaction with the rapidly developing relations among
their countries.
They noted the
bright prospects for enhanced interaction and closer linkages in
Mindful of the
challenges and opportunities in the new millennium, as well as the growing
regional interdependence in the age of globalization and information, they
agreed to promote dialogue and to deepen and
consolidate collective efforts with a view to advancing mutual understanding,
trust, good neighborliness and friendly relations, peace, stability and
prosperity in
In this context,
they underscored their commitment to handling their mutual relations in
accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the Five
Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Recalling the
decision of the Leaders of ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea at the
6th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in December 1998, on the importance of holding a regular
meeting among them and recognizing the ongoing efforts of the East Asia Vision
Group, they agreed to enhance this dialogue process and strengthen cooperation
with a view to advancing East Asian collaboration in priority areas of shared
interest and concern even as they look to future challenges.
In this context,
they underscored their commitment to build upon existing consultative and
cooperative processes, as well as joint efforts, in various levels and in
various areas, in particular:
Economic and
Social Fields
in economic
cooperation, they agreed to strengthen efforts in accelerating trade,
investments, technology transfer, encouraging technical cooperation in
information technology and e-commerce, promotion of industrial and agricultural
cooperation, strengthening of SMEs, promotion of
tourism, encouraging active participation in the development of growth areas in
East Asia, including the Mekong River Basin; to promote broader private sector
participation in economic cooperation activities through considering networking
initiatives such as an East Asian Business Council and industry- specific
business fora for major regional industries; and to
continue structural reform and to strengthen cooperation since these are
essential to sustained economic growth and indispensable safeguards against the
recurrence of economic crises in East Asia.
in monetary and
financial cooperation, they agreed to strengthen policy dialogue, coordination
and collaboration on the financial, monetary and fiscal issues of common
interest, focusing initially on issues related to macroeconomic risk
management, enhancing corporate governance, monitoring regional capital flows,
strengthening banking and financial systems, reforming the international
financial architecture, and enhancing self-help and support mechanisms in East
Asia through the ASEAN+3 Framework, including the ongoing dialogue and
cooperation mechanism of the ASEAN+3 finance and central bank leaders and
officials;
in social and human resources development, they
agreed on the importance of social and human resources development for
sustained growth of
in the area of scientific and technical
development, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in these areas to enhance
capacity-building for the promotion of economic development and sustained
growth in
in the cultural
and information area, they agreed to strengthen regional cooperation in
projecting an Asian point of view to the rest of the world and in intensifying
efforts in enhancing people-to-people contacts and in promoting cultural
understanding, goodwill and peace, focusing on the strengths and virtues of
East Asian cultures and building upon the recognition that the region partly derives
its strength from its diversity;
in development
cooperation, they agreed on the importance of generating and extending support
for ASEAN efforts in the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action to advance
economic and sustainable development, technical capability, and the standard of
living of the people with the view to fulfilling long-term economic and
political stability in the region;
Political and
Other Fields
in the
political-security area, they agreed to continuing dialogue, coordination, and
cooperation to increase mutual understanding and trust towards forging lasting
peace and stability in East Asia;
in the area of transnational issues, they agreed
to strengthen cooperation in addressing common concerns in this area in
Noting how their
collective efforts and cooperation agenda support and complement the
initiatives of various multilateral fora, the Leaders
agreed to intensify coordination and cooperation in various international and
regional fora such as the UN, WT0, APEC, ASEM, and
the ARF, as well as in regional and international financial institutions.
Determined to
realize
Finally, they
expressed greater resolve and confidence in further deepening and broadening
East Asia cooperation towards generating concrete results with tangible impact
on the quality of life of the people of