Database
on Basic Documents of Japan-ASEAN Relations
Department of
Advanced Social and International Studies,
ASEAN-JAPAN
5 NOVEMBER 2002
JOINT DECLARATION
OF THE LEADERS OF ASEAN AND
ON THE
COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
WE, Heads of
State/Government of Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of
Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Union of Myanmar,
Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand,
Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Japan, gathered today for the ASEAN-Japan
Summit,
Recalling the
Initiative proposed by Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi in January this year for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership
to strengthen broad-ranging economic partnership between Japan and ASEAN;
Inspired by the
significant progress made in ASEAN-Japan relations which would be highlighted
by the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in 2003 to mark 30 years of ASEAN-Japan
relations;
Acknowledging that
the economic partnership between ASEAN and
Recognizing that
the rapid progress of regional economic integration in other parts of the
world, particularly in Europe and in
HEREBY DECLARE:
1. We underlined
the desirability for this region to seek such economic integration through the
creation of economic partnerships and linkages.
2. We shared the
view that such partnerships and linkages should be of a comparable nature to
ones achieved in other regions and completed as soon as possible.
3. We viewed that
a comprehensive economic partnership between ASEAN and Japan would provide
greater market opportunities to their economies, through the creation of larger
and new markets and enabling the industries to enjoy bigger economies of scale,
and that such partnership would bring about greater stability and prosperity to
this region, nurturing a sense of community between ASEAN and Japan.
4. We recognized
that, for the creation of economic partnerships and linkages of a leading nature
between ASEAN and Japan, ASEAN and Japan should seek broad-based economic
partnership covering not only liberalization of trade and investment but also
trade and investment promotion and facilitation measures, including, but not
limited to customs procedures, standards and conformance, non-tariff measures,
and co-operation in other areas, such as financial services, information and
communications technology, science and technology, human resource development,
small and medium enterprises, tourism, transport, energy and food security.
5. We endorsed the
approach that, while considering a framework for the realization of a
Comprehensive Economic Partnership between Japan and ASEAN as a whole, any
ASEAN member country and Japan could initiate works to build up a bilateral
economic partnership. We welcomed the efforts made by our foreign and economic
ministers on the ASEAN-Japan comprehensive economic partnership and commended
the Expert Group on ASEAN-Japan Closer Economic Partnership for their report. We
also welcomed and encouraged initiatives by ministers of other portfolios, such
as transport, to promote co-operation for such economic partnerships.
6. From the
viewpoint of promoting the aforementioned approach, we expressed satisfaction
with the progress of consultations between ASEAN countries and
7. We recognized
that the goal of such block building should be to strengthen current economic
partnership between
8. We noted that
the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership would expand trade and boost
growth between the two regions. By the year 2020, the export value from ASEAN
to
9. Based on these
understandings, we decided that ASEAN and
10. We affirmed that
special and differential treatment could be provided to developing countries of
ASEAN in accordance with WTO Agreements. Additional flexibility should also be
accorded to the new members of ASEAN.
11. We also
decided that the implementation of measures for the realization of the
partnership, including elements of a possible free trade area, should be
completed as soon as possible within 10 years, taking into account the economic
levels and sensitive sectors in each country.
12. We confirmed
that the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership should be consistent
with the rules and disciplines of the WTO.
13. We recognized
the feasibility and effectiveness of the building block approach. Therefore,
the Comprehensive Economic Partnership should begin in areas where
implementation is feasible; it could address areas that could be implemented on
an accelerated basis to provide immediate benefits to the parties, without
leaving the liberalization aspect behind, such as:
Technical
assistance and capacity building to ASEAN, particularly for the new members, so
as to improve their competitiveness to meaningfully participate in the
partnership
Trade and
investment promotion and facilitation measures
Trade policy
dialogue
Business sector
dialogue
Facilitation of
mobility for business people
Any other measures
delivering immediate mutual benefits.
14. Finally, we
also decided on the establishment of a Committee, consisting of relevant senior
officials of ASEAN and
DONE in
For
HAJI HASSANAL
BOLKIAH
Sultan of
For the
HUN SEN
Prime Minister
For the
MEGAWATI
SOEKARNOPUTRI
President
For
JUNICHIRO KOIZUMI
Prime Minister
For the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
BOUNNHANG
VORACHITH
Prime Minister
For
MAHATHIR BIN
MOHAMAD
Prime Minister
For the Union of
Myanmar
SENIOR GENERAL
THAN SHWE
Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council and
Prime Minister
For the Republic
of the Philippines
GLORIA
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President
For the Republic of Singapore
GOH CHOK TONG
Prime Minister
For the Kingdom of
Thailand
LT. POL. COL.
THAKSIN SHINAWATRA
Prime Minister
For the Socialist
Republic of Viet Nam
PHAN VAN KHAI
Prime Minister