Database
on Basic Documents of Japan-ASEAN Relations
Department of
Advanced Social and International Studies,
Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality Declaration (
We, the Foreign Ministers of
FIRMLY believing in the merits of regional cooperation which has drawn
our countries to cooperate together in the economic, social and cultural fields
in the Association of South East Asian Nations;
DESIROUS of bringing about a relaxation of international tension and of
achieving a lasting peace in
INSPIRED by the worthy aims and objectives of the United Nations, in
particular by the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of all states, abstention from threat or use of force, peaceful
settlement of international disputes, equal rights and self-determination and
non-interference in the affairs of States;
BELIEVING in the continuing validity of the "Declaration on the
Promotion of World Peace and Cooperation" of the Bandung
Conference of 1955 which, among others, enunciates the principles by which
states may coexist peacefully;
RECOGNISING the right of every state, large or small, to lead its
national existence free from outside interference in its internal affairs as
this interference will adversely affect is freedom, independence and integrity;
DEDICATED to the maintenance of peace, freedom and independence
unimpaired;
BELIEVING in the need to meet present challenges and new developments by
cooperating with all peace and freedom loving nations, both within and outside
the region, in the furtherance of world peace, stability and harmony;
COGNIZANT of the significant trend towards establishing nuclear-free
zones, as in the "Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin
America" and the Lusaka Declaration proclaiming Africa as a nuclear-free
zone, forthe
purpose of promoting world peace and security by reducing the areas of
international conflicts and tension;
REITERATING our commitment to the principle in the Bangkok Declaration
which established ASEAN in 1967, "that the countries of South East Asia
share a primary responsibility for strengthening the economic and social
stability of the region and ensuring their peaceful and progressive national
development, and that they are determined to ensure stability and security from
external interference in any form or manifestation inorder to preserve their national identities in
accordance with the ideals and aspirations of their peoples";
AGREEING that the neutralization of
CONVINCED that the time is propitious for joint action to give effective
expression to the deeply felt desire of the peoples of
DO HEREBY STATE:
1. That Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are
determined to exert initially necessary efforts to secure the recognition of,
and respect for, South East Asia as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality,
free from any form or manner of interference by outside Powers;
2. That South East Asian countries should make concerted efforts to
broaden the areas of cooperation which would contribute to their strength,
solidarity and closer relationship.
DONE at
On behalf of the
ADAM MALIK
Minister of Foreign Affairs
On behalf of
TUN ABDUL RAZAK BIN HUSSEIN
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of the Republic of the
CARLOS P. ROMULO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
On behalf of the
S.RAJARATNAM
Minister for Foreign Affairs
On behalf of the
THANAT KHOMAN
Special Envoy of the National Executive Council