Database
on Basic Documents of Japan-ASEAN Relations
Department of
Advanced Social and International Studies,
Joint Press
Statement of The 1st Meeting of The ASEAN Economic Ministers and The Ministers
of People's Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea
The First Meeting
of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and Ministers of the People’s Republic of
The meeting
followed from the mandate of the Leaders of ASEAN, People’s Republic of
Significance of
the ASEAN + People’s Republic of
The Ministers were
pleased to participate in the First ASEAN+3 Economic Ministers Meeting, an
important process contributing towards the ASEAN + People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of
Korea Summit to be held in Singapore in November 2000. The Ministers recognised the importance of cooperation and collaboration
in industry, trade, investment and other economic areas among ASEAN, People’s Republic of
The Ministers also
recognised the significance of the Meeting to discuss
international economic issues with a view to promoting coordination and
cooperation among ASEAN + People’s Republic of
China, Japan, and Republic of Korea in international and regional economic fora such as WTO, APEC and ASEM. The Ministers thanked
The Ministers
noted the large flow of trade between ASEAN and the three Northeast Asian
countries, which in 1998, totalled US$122 billion.
The Ministers agreed that, with the sustained economic recovery of the region,
there was a huge potential for further expanding trade and investment flows
among the countries of
Areas of
Cooperation
Among the major
areas of cooperation discussed and agreed to at the meeting were:
(i) Strengthening efforts in accelerating trade, investment
and technology transfer;
(ii) Encouraging
technical cooperation in information technology and e-commerce;
(iii) Encouraging
active participation in the development of growth areas involving ASEAN,
including the
(iv)
Heightening cooperative
efforts on Human Resources Development,
(v) Promoting
broader private sector participation through networking initiatives such as
East Asian Business Council and industries specific business fora;
(vi)
Promotion of agriculture,
industrial cooperation and tourism;
(vii)
Strengthening small medium enterprises and Supporting
industries;
(viii) Cooperation
in scientific and technological development; and
(ix) Coordination
and cooperation in various international and regional fora.
The Ministers
stressed the importance of equal partnership as a basis of cooperation between ASEAN+People’s
Republic of
The Ministers
tasked their senior officials to take the necessary follow-up actions to ensure
that concrete outcomes could be presented to the ASEAN + People’s Republic of
International and
Regional Economic Issues
The Ministers
considered a wide range of international and regional economic matters of
common interest. They agreed that they need to make active contributions, with
one voice, to the establishment of the international economic framework with a
view to continuing further economic growth in the region.
The Ministers
discussed how to move the WTO process forward after the Seattle Ministerial
Conference. They agreed that the agenda of any new round should be wide ranging
to achieve a balance of interests for all WTO members, including the
implementation of capacity building for developing countries. They emphasised that the market access in industrial goods
should be further enhanced, in addition to agriculture and services. They also
stressed that the negotiation should improve existing agreements, including the
anti-dumping agreement, to ensure enhanced market access. They agreed to
continue discussions how Members could address the need of global economy in
the 21st century.
The Ministers
noted the importance of universal membership of WTO. They agreed that the
process of accession of the Least Developed Countries to WTO should be
simplified and accelerated as has been stated in the Communique
by the Ministers of Trade of the Least Developed Countries adopted at UNCTAD X,
in
The Ministers
noted the preparations for APEC 2000 being undertaken by Brunei Darussalam.
They expressed their strong support for the theme of “Delivering to the Community”. The theme was
comprised of three sub-themes, namely, the building of stronger foundations for
growth, the creation of new opportunities and making APEC matter more to the
community. The Ministers agreed on the need to come up with a concrete action
plan at the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting covering HRD, ICT and the role of
e-commerce, SME financing and strategic alliance between SMEs
and large scale enterprises. They also discussed preparations for the next
month’s meeting of the APEC Ministers Responsible
for Trade in
The Ministers
noted the preparations being undertaken by the
LIST OF MINISTERS
The Meeting was
attended by:
H.E. B.G. (NS)
George Yeo, Minister for Trade and
H.E. Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib, Minister of Industry
and Primary Resources,
H.E. Mr. Charn Prasidh, Minister of
H.E. Mr. Shi Guangsheng, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic
Cooperation, People’s Republic of
Mr. Hatanto Reksodipoetro, Special
Representative of the Minister of Industry and
H.E. Mr. Takashi Fukaya, Minister of International Trade and
H.E. Mr. Han Duck-Soo, Minister of Trade,
H.E. Mr. Bountiem Phissamay, Minister to
the Prime Minister’s Office, Lao PDR;
H.E. Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, Minister of International
Trade and
H.E. Brigadier
General David O. Abel, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State
Peace and Development
H.E. Mr. Mar Roxas II, Secretary of Trade and Industry of the
H.E. Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of
H.E. Mr. Vu Khoan, Minister of
H.E.
Mr. Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr., Secretary-General of
ASEAN.