Database
on Basic Documents of Japan-ASEAN Relations
Department of
Advanced Social and International Studies,
Ha Noi Declaration of 1998
16 December 1998
We,the Heads of State
and Government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered
in Hainoi for the Sixth ASEAN Summit,
Emphasising the theme of
this gathering "Unity and Cooperation for an ASEAN of Peace, Stability and
Equitable Development" and recalling the Vision 2020 of ASEAN as "a
concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward-looking, living in peace, stability
and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a
community of caring societies";
Aware of the opportunities for renewed growth, peace and prosperity as
well as the challenges posed especially by the economic crisis, as ASEAN
approaches the new millennium;
Confident of our national and regional resilience, the fundamental
strengths of our economies, and the ability and will of our people to overcome
the difficulties that currently confront our nations and region;
HEREBY DECLARE:
1. We reaffirm our view of ASEAN as indispensable to regional peace and
prosperity, an association with a history of demonstrated dynamism and close
cooperation, a force for peace and stability in our part of the world.
2. We have decided to admit the
3. We note ASEAN's success in promoting regional peace and stability,
based on the cardinal principles of mutual respect, non-interference,
consensus, dialogue and consultation. This has contributed substantially to many years of rapid economic growth and social
development for our nations. We will not be complacent in the maintenance of
regional peace but will seek to constantly reinforce the ties among us.
4. We recognise that the economic and financial
upheaval that currently afflicts our economies and societies has severely set
back many of the gains that our nations and our Association have achieved. We
shall overcome those economic and social difficulties by working together in ever
closer cooperation and ever stronger solidarity.
5. We shall move ASEAN onto a higher plane of regional cooperation in
order to strengthen ASEAN's effectiveness in dealing with the challenges of
growing interdependence within ASEAN and of its integration into the global
economy. In doing so, we commit ourselves to intensifying our dialogue on
current and emerging issues, further consolidating our unity in diversity, our
cohesiveness and harmony.
6. We are committed to accelerating,economic
and financial reforms to strengthen our respective economies. We believe that
reform efforts at the national level must be reinforced by corresponding
reforms at the global level to address weaknesses in the international
financial architecture and welcome the contribution of the G-22 in this area.
We strongly urge that further work be done within the G-22 or an expanded
version of it. ASEAN wiil continue to play an active
role in the international community to expedite the development and
implementation of these reforms.
7. The international community also has a responsibility to continue to
support our reform efforts through bilateral and multilateral assistance,
including new and innovative approaches to catalyse
the return of private capital flows to the region. In this context, we welcome
the Miyazawa Plan, and the Asian Growth and Recovery Initiative to revitalise private sector growth in
8. We recognise that the financial crisis has a
social dimension, with the poor and vulnerable segments of our societies being
the most adversely affected. In this regard, we will ensure that efforts to
safeguard the interests of the poor form an integral part of our reform
efforts. We also urge the international community to step up their technical
and financial assistance in this area as well as ensure that the reforms in the
international financial architecture include a social dimension to protect the
poor.
9. We reaffirm our commitment to the greater integration of our economies
as a primary expression of our cooperation and solidarity.
10. To this end, we shall spare no efforts to quickly restore financial
and macroeconomic stability, bring about early economic recovery and maintain
sustained growth. In this regard, ASEAN has put in place an ASEAN Surveillance
Process, based on peer review, to highlight emerging risks, recommend
appropriate policy responses, and encourage early action to avoid such risks.
11. ASEAN will keep its markets open as it recognises
that the key to strengthening and stabilising the
region's currencies and economies is to attract long-term investments. ASEAN
reaffirms its commitment to trade and investment liberalisation
and facilitation, at the multilateral and regional levels, and will continue to
undertake concrete measures towards these objectives.
12. We resolve to implement, as scheduled, the ASEAN Free Trade Area
(AFTA) and all approved programmes and projects. In
addition, we seek to further accelerate AFTA and expedite the implementation of
the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme (AICO). We shall open up our investment
regimes through the launching of the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA), which will
enhance the attractiveness of the region as an investment destination through
the application of consistent investment laws and policies.
13. We encourage wider use of ASEAN currencies in intra-ASEAN trade
settlements.
14. We shall develop and strengthen the ASEAN regional infrastructure by
developing networks of electricity grids, gas and water pipelines, and
expanding transport and telecommunications links. Efficient and quality
infrastructure will enhance ASEAN's competitiveness.
15. We shall endeavour to narrow the gap in the
levels of development among the Member Countries and reduce poverty and
socio-economic disparities through greater subregional
cooperation.
16. We shall ensure food security in the region and enhance the
competitiveness of our food, agriculture and forestry sectors by increasing
productivity, promoting intra and extra ASEAN trade, and greater private sector
investment.
17. We shall encourage the active participation and effective
contribution of the business sector to assist in the shaping of ASEAN's
policies and initiatives to overcome the crisis. A close partnership between
the ASEAN Governments and the private sector would be crucial in paving the way
to sustained recovery and prosperity of the region.
18. Accordingly, ASEAN calls upon the concerned countries and
international financial institutions to continue to assist the affected
countries in their economic recovery through development assistance, increased
private investment flows, greater market access of goods originating from ASEAN
region, increased technology transfer and cooperation in human resource
development.
19. The maintenance and creation of employment shall be a primary
consideration in our strategies for economic recovery and growth. An essential
part of this shall be a concerted and cooperative effort to foster SMEs and to train our people for the demands and
opportunities of the industries of today and tomorrow.
20. We shall continue to cooperate and strengthen ASEAN's capacity in
science and technology, particularly in the field of Information Technology.
Towards this end, we shall develop the ASEAN Information Infrastructure.
21. We recognise that the ultimate objective of
economic development is to raise standards of living and to promote human
development in all its dimensions, so as to enable the people of ASEAN to have
the fullest opportunity to realise their potential.
22. The eradication of poverty shall be the ultimate goal of our
strategies for recovery and growth, and the development of our rural areas a
principal means for attaining it. We shall work closely together to eradicate
poverty in and develop rural and remote areas as well as the less developed
inter-state areas.
23. We shall strengthen and promote linkages among ASEAN institutional
mechanisms in fighting against drug abuse and trafficking in order to eradicate
drug production, processing, trafficking and use by the year 2020.
24. We shall, together, make sure that our people are assured of adequate
medical care and access to essential medicines. We shall step up our
cooperation in the control and prevention of communicable diseases, including
HIV/AIDS.
25. So as to ensure the sustainability of our nations' development, the
protection of the environment shall be an essential part of our economic
activities. We shall consolidate and expand our gains in the control and
prevention of transboundary pollution, especially the
haze arising from land and forest fires.
26. We shall intensify individual and collective efforts to address
transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism,
piracy, arms smuggling and trafficking in persons.
27. We shall fortify confidence in our nations by continuing to maintain
friendly relations among us and fostering the security of our region.
28. Toward this end, we shall expedite the ratification of the Second
Protocol to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
29. We shall endeavour to resolve outstanding
problems and prevent the emergence of disputes in the ASEAN way and in
accordance with international law and practice.
30. We shall promote efforts to settle disputes in the South China Sea by
peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and in the spirit of the 1992 ASEAN
Declaration on the
31. We welcome efforts to develop long-term constructive relationship
among the major powers. ASEAN shall enhance its dialogue partnership and
cooperation with other countries as well as with other regional and
international organisations, on the basis of
equality, non-interference, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
32. We shall strengthen the ASEAN Regional Forum as a forum for political
and security dialogue and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, ASEAN
leadership of ARF shall continue to be exercised and enhanced, while ASEAN
solidarity and coordination in ARF shall be intensified.
33. As a step to enhance ASEAN's investment and trade environment, a
package of bold measures and privileges will be granted to traders and
investors. In this regard, we ask our Ministers to commence implementation of
the package of bold measures starting from 1 January 1999.
34. We hereby adopt the Hanoi Plan of Action and charge our Ministers and
Senior Officials to begin its implementation. We agree to conduct a review of
the progress in 2001, three years after the adoption of the Hanoi Plan of
Action.
Done at