Database
on Basic Documents of Japan-ASEAN Relations
Department of
Advanced Social and International Studies,
Joint Statement of
the Meeting of Heads of State/Government of the
ASEAN-JAPAN
COOPERATION TOWARDS THE 21ST CENTURY
The Heads of
State/Government of the member states of ASEAN and the Prime Minister of Japan
noted with satisfaction that their countries had fostered a close cooperative
relationship over the years, contributing to the peace, stability and
prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. Recognising
the need to build upon the foundation of their relationship and the importance
of concerted efforts to address common challenges confronting the region and
the world, they resolved to further advance ASEAN-Japan cooperation towards the
twenty-first century, with a view to achieving a more profound and wide-ranging
relationship by building upon existing amity.
Intensifying
dialogues for an enhanced partnership
2. They expressed
their determination to work together to ensure that future generations would
live in peace and stability and that social and economic development would be
sustained. With a view to fostering an enhanced partnership, they decided to
intensify dialogues and exchanges at all levels. They noted in particular the
importance of dialogues at high level and decided to hold the Leaders' Meeting
as frequently as possible. They recognised the
importance of enhancing political and security dialogues and exchanges.
Fostering people -
to - people and cultural exchanges
3. They decided to
further promote direct people-to-people contacts not only at the level of
policy makers but also among other sectors, in particular among the youth and
intellectuals through exchange programmes. They recognised the importance of preserving and developing
their respective rich traditions and cultures and promoting deeper mutual
understanding through cultural exchange and cooperation. In this regard, they
welcomed the objectives of and the progress made by the Multinational Cultural
Mission and looked forward to the proposals to be made by the
Promoting regional
peace and stability
4. They recognised the importance of close cooperation to promote
regional peace and stability. In this context, they had an exchange of views
and perspectives on security related issues, including on existing security
cooperation and arrangements. They also confirmed their intention to intensify
cooperation at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Enhancing economic
cooperation
5. They recognised the increasing interdependence between ASEAN and
6.
7. They noted that
the Finance Ministers of ASEAN and Japan at the recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur
on 2 December 1997 discussed national efforts and regional and international
cooperation to address the present financial situation in the region. They
endorsed the Finance Ministers' agreement on the rapid implementation of the
Manila Framework as a constructive step towards promoting financial stability
in the region. They noted that
8. The ASEAN
member states expressed appreciation to the useful and effective assistance
extended by
addressing market access issues and structural change in
the industrial sector to promote balanced growth of ASEAN-Japan trade;
facilitating transfer of technology, including
sophisticated and environmental friendly technology, to ASEAN;
enhancing ASEAN's competitiveness through, inter alia;
- development of hard and soft infrastructure;
- strengthening of
supporting industries;
- modernization of small and medium sized enterprises and
other industrial cooperation;
- human resource development. In this context,
- improvement of environmental management and protection;
promoting macro-economic and financial stability in the
region;
alleviating economic disparities and poverty within ASEAN
and facilitating the integration of new ASEAN member states into the mainstream
of ASEAN economic development and globalisation;
promoting and supporting regional and sub-regional programmes, particularly in the Greater Mekong Sub-region;
and
establishing
appropriate mechanisms within or in close cooperation with the ASEAN-Japan
Forum, such as the Japan-ASEAN Roundtable on Development to exchange views and
information concerning issues relating to ASEAN-Japan development cooperation
and a new body, under co-chairmanship at ministerial level, within the existing
AEM-MITI Japan consultations by restructuring the CLM-WG for enhanced
industrial cooperation, improvement of ASEAN's competitiveness and development
cooperation assignee to the new member countries.
9. They shared the
view that steady and full implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
and ASEAN Industrial Cooperation (AICO) Scheme would strengthen economic linkage
among ASEAN economies and promote their competitiveness and attractiveness as
an investment and production base.
10. Recognising that a strengthened multilateral free trade
system is indispensable to future prosperity, they confirmed their readiness to
work toward the further liberalisation and
facilitation of trade by promoting such activities as those in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC), taking into account economic situations of developing
countries. In this connection, they decided to promote greater interactions and
close relations between their public and private sectors.
Collaborating on
international issues
11. In their
efforts to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the region in
particular and the world at large, they resolved to work towards strengthening
the functions of the United Nations, in particular the reform of the UN
including the UN Security Council, and to promoting international efforts for
disarmament and non-proliferation regime. In this connection, they welcomed the
progress made by the Korean
strengthening environmental protection;
promoting efficient and sustainable use of energy
resources;
improving health and welfare;
reinforcing measures against international terrorism,
illegal trafficking of small fire arms, drugs, and other international organised crimes; and
enhancing South-South cooperation to share ASEAN's
economic growth experiences with developing countries.
12.