Summary: 16th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Joint Co-Chairmen's Statement (15 March 2007: Nuremberg)
16th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Joint Co-Chairmen's Statement, Nuremberg, 15 March 2007
1. The 16th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting was held in Nuremberg, Germany on 14/15 March 2007. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU), the Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy, and the Foreign Ministers of the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Secretary General of ASEAN. The Meeting was
co-chaired by Germany, as Presidency of the European Union and Cambodia, as the ASEAN Country Co-ordinator for ASEAN-EU dialogue relations. The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of openness, trust and solidarity that is the corollary of more than 30 years of dialogue and cooperation.
2. Ministers acknowledged 2007 as a landmark year for both the EU and ASEAN: 30 years of formal EU-ASEAN relations, 40 years since the establishment of ASEAN and 50 years since the signing of the Rome Treaties establishing the European Economic Community. They reaffirmed their commitment to EU-ASEAN dialogue and co-operation as a cornerstone for the strategic partnership between Asia and Europe.
3. Ministers reviewed the progress of EU-ASEAN cooperation since the 15th Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on 9/10 March 2005. They commended in particular the swift implementation of the Jakarta Joint Co-Chairmen's Statement tasking the EU-ASEAN Senior Officials to "further strengthen and to reinvigorate the ASEAN-EU process". Ministers endorsed the Nuremberg Declaration on an EU-ASEAN Enhanced Partnership, underlining the unique partnership between two regional organisations in
Europe and in South East Asia, working together for peace and prosperity, for the benefit of present and future generations.
4. Ministers affirmed that EU and ASEAN share fundamental objectives in their wider global agenda and that they both promote effective multilateralism as a means of tackling global challenges, support an open and fair trade system under the World Trade Organization, seek to advance human rights and good governance, work in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery, remain engaged in the global fight against terrorism,
encourage international co-operation on migration, promote environmentally sustainable development and action on climate change and develop stable, transparent markets in energy and resources.
THIRTY YEARS OF EU-ASEAN: TAKING STOCK AND TOWARDS AN EU-ASEAN ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP
5. Ministers noted with satisfaction the broad range of EU-ASEAN co-operation and positive developments in political and security cooperation, growth in trade and investment between the two regions as well as progress in numerous areas of development and technical cooperation. In this connection they commended the visual presentation on the Thirty Years of EU-ASEAN Partnership, prepared by Germany, in consultation with the ASEAN Berlin Committee and the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, illustrating
origins and achievements of both regional organizations and examples of their long-lasting cooperation. They looked forward to posting this presentation on the websites of the EU and the ASEAN-Secretariat, in order to reach out to the public in both regions and beyond and to contribute to an enhanced visibility of the EU-ASEAN partnership.
6. Ministers welcomed the progress made in negotiations of Partnership and Cooperation Agreements between the EU and ASEAN Member Countries which will serve to enhance their political and economic relationships and provide for a comprehensive framework for bilateral and regional cooperation.
7. Ministers reaffirmed their support for the EU-ASEAN dialogue and co-operation instruments in the shape of "Trans-Regional EU-ASEAN Trade Initiative" (TREATI) and "Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument" (READI). These instruments provide a flexible framework in which partners can share experiences and information on subjects of true mutual interest with a view of bringing the two regions closer. Ministers looked forward to the implementation of the current TREATI and READI and tasked the
ASEAN-EC Joint Co-operation Committee to pursue this objective.
8. Ministers further noted with satisfaction the recommendations of the "Report of the ASEAN-EU Vision Group: Transregional Partnership for Shared and Sustainable Prosperity" in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, of 10 May 2006, in particular "to take the economic partnership between the EU and ASEAN to a higher level. A reinforced partnership would be mutually beneficial and could also support the process of ASEAN integration". Ministers reaffirmed their continued political support for the swift follow-up of
these recommendations.
9. Ministers commended the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) as a success in a unique political environment and noted with appreciation that for the first time, EU and ASEAN Member Countries worked together closely in the field of crisis management, thereby underlining their joint commitment to peace and stability in the region. The AMM has considerably enhanced the EU-ASEAN relationship and raised the profile of EU-ASEAN policy and security cooperation in the region. Both sides recalled that the
ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December 2005 explicitly commended the AMM "as a model for cooperation between ASEAN Member Countries in conflict resolution as provided for in the ASEAN Security Community as well as a model for cooperation between regions, in this case with the European Union." Ministers finally commended the pursuit of the lessons learnt process in connection with the AMM.
10. Ministers took note of trilateral cooperation, initiated in 2004, which combines the development assistance of individual ASEAN member countries and the EC to the benefit of the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Viet Nam) countries. They welcomed this arrangement allowing for a more effective and efficient use of scarce resources and at the same time also enhancing regional integration by bridging the development gap between ASEAN Member Countries. Ministers acknowledged the potential of this
co-operation instrument. It was agreed to explore the possibility of expanding it further.
11. Ministers considered and endorsed the Nuremberg Declaration on an EU-ASEAN Enhanced Partnership as a major contribution to taking EU-ASEAN relations to a higher level. Ministers acknowledged the comprehensive character of the document comprising the strengthening and deepening of EU-ASEAN relations in the fields of political and security, economic and social and development cooperation.
12. Ministers suggested to convene an ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in the course of 2007 in ASEAN to deepen and enhance further the partnership on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of EU-ASEAN relations in the understanding of Troika participation from the EU side.
13. Ministers acknowledged the importance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as an instrument for promoting regional peace, security and cooperation. In this regard ASEAN warmly welcomed the EU's/EC's intention to accede to the TAC and at the same time further welcomed the EU's interest to be involved in the East Asia Summit process.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EU AND IN ASEAN
14. Ministers were informed of the outcome of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, on 13 January 2007, in particular the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint of the ASEAN Charter, and the formation of the High Level Task Force on drafting the ASEAN Charter in time before the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore in November 2007. Ministers also noted the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.
15. Ministers further noted the outcome of the 2nd East Asia Summit in Cebu on 15 January 2007. They noted with particular interest the Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security which recognises the urgent need to address global warming and climate change, the need to strengthen renewable energy development such as bio fuels as well as goals and measures as spelt out in the foresaid Declaration. Ministers further took note that the 2nd East Asia Summit had agreed to initiate concrete
projects in priority areas of cooperation, namely energy, education, finance, avian influenza, natural disaster mitigation and poverty reduction.
16. Ministers took note of the briefing by ASEAN on the ASEAN Charter process. They welcomed the visit of members of the Eminent Persons Group and the High Level Task Force on drafting the ASEAN Charter to Berlin, Brussels and Nuremberg at the invitation of Germany. The EU reaffirmed its continued readiness to share its relevant experience in regional integration, including constitutional issues, related to the drafting of the ASEAN Charter.
17. The EU commended ASEAN for their important and bold decisions and reiterated its continued support for ASEAN's efforts and initiatives in working towards regional integration as reflected in the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II to establish the ASEAN Community and the Vientiane Action Program (VAP). The EU also noted the complementarity of sub-regional cooperation frameworks, such as the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), the Ayeyawady-Chao
Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACEMCS), the Brunei-Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle to the integration process of ASEAN.
18. Ministers welcomed the enhanced cooperation between ASEAN and the EU in the ASEAN Regional Forum, ARF, with the EU and ASEAN co-chairing the ARF-"Inter-sessional Group on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy" in 2004/2005 and 2006/2007. They reconfirmed their support for the ARF as the primary political and security forum in Asia Pacific with ASEAN as its driving force.
19. Ministers took note of the briefing by the EU on the process of the European Constitutional Treaty and on the EU-strategy to shape its internal and external policy in accordance with its values in a globalized world.
20. Ministers had a frank exchange of views on the situation in Myanmar. EU Ministers expressed deep concern on the lack of tangible progress in the promised transition towards a civilian and legitimized government. Ministers encouraged Myanmar to make greater progress towards national reconciliation as well as to involve constructively all political parties and ethnic groups in an inclusive dialogue. Furthermore, Ministers called for the early lifting of restrictions placed on political
parties and the early release of those under detention. Ministers took note of the briefing by the Head of the Myanmar delegation on the latest developments in the implementation of the national Roadmap to Democracy including the work of the National Convention. They called on the Government of Myanmar to remain constructively engaged with ASEAN, the United Nations and the international community, and with international humanitarian organizations and NGO's to ensure the people of Myanmar
benefit from assistance. Ministers welcomed the 12th ASEAN Summit Chairperson's Statement of 13 January 2007 in Cebu, the Philippines, and agreed to continue discussion on this issue.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AND GLOBAL ISSUES
21. Ministers reaffirmed their support to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. They further reaffirmed their support for a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on existing agreements, including the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principles as laid down in the road map. In this connection, Ministers voiced support for the recent efforts of the Middle East Quartet made up of the UN, the EU, the US and the Russian
Federation, in promoting a result orientated dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the framework of a renewed political process, with the aim of defining more clearly the political horizon and launching meaningful negotiations.
22. Ministers underlined the utmost importance of promoting arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, including key areas such as Weapons of Mass Destruction and their means of delivery as well as conventional arms and ammunition. In this respect, Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the implementation and the universalization of the existing disarmament and non-proliferation treaties, conventions, and instruments. Ministers reiterated their commitment to the NPT as the cornerstone of
the non-proliferation regime and underlined their willingness to contribute jointly to a successful Prepcom in April/May 2007.
23. Ministers reaffirmed that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is an international priority and renewed their support for the Six-Party-Talks, welcoming the agreement that was reached on 13 February 2007. They encouraged the parties involved to implement the agreement without delay. They called upon the DPRK to work towards the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In addition, Ministers urged the DPRK to comply with UNSCR 1718, as well as resume its obligations under the
Non-Proliferation Treaty. Ministers further urged the DPRK to effectively address the human rights situation of the people of the DPRK and the international community's concerns in this respect.
24. Ministers underlined their commitment to a diplomatic and peaceful solution which addresses international concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. They urged Iran to implement UN Security Council's Resolution 1696 and 1737 (2006) and all Resolutions and Recommendations of the IAEA Board of Governors and regretted Iran's non-compliance with Security Council Resolution 1737 within the 60-day deadline.
25. Ministers voiced concern over the continued instability in Iraq. They reaffirmed their support for the Iraqi government and its efforts to ensure unity, security, stability and prosperity in Iraq. They further expressed their full support for the Iraqi government's initiative for a meeting at ministerial level of Iraq's neighbouring states with international participation to promote regional cooperation and stability in Iraq. In this context, they welcomed the results of the preparatory
meeting in Baghdad on 10 March 2007.
26. Ministers reaffirmed their long-term commitment to assist Afghanistan to bring peace, stability and prosperity to the country and its people within the framework of the Afghanistan Compact. Ministers welcomed the recent meeting at Political Directors' level of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) on 30 January 2007 in Berlin and recognised the central role of the JCMB as the main coordination body both within the International Community and with the Afghan government.
27. Ministers agreed to promote cooperation on climate change, energy security, sustainable energy and multilateral measures for stable, effective and transparent global energy markets. They further stressed the need for an active participation in the Montreal process and further decisions aimed at promoting a more effective implementation of the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, paving the ground for the negotiations on a global and comprehensive
Post 2012 climate regime to be launched by the Conference of the Parties (COP) at the end of 2007 and completed by 2009, and taking into account the urgent need for action resulting from the scientific evidences of the 4th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.
28. Ministers reaffirmed the necessity to achieve the Doha round with a view to an ambitious, balanced and comprehensive overall outcome and appealed to all WTO-partners to show constructive willingness in order to bring the negotiations to a successful close, further supporting development of world trade and the economic integration of developing countries.
29. Ministers welcomed Viet Nam's accession to the WTO and supported the timely accession of Lao PDR to the WTO.
30. Ministers supported the strengthening of economic cooperation between the EU and ASEAN and supported the goal of concluding FTA building on the platform of the WTO while reaffirming that the Doha Development Agenda remain the priority for both the EU and ASEAN.
31. Ministers reaffirmed their support for the regional co-operation under way in Asia in response to the global threat from terrorism, and in particular for the effort by ASEAN following the recent successful conclusion of an ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism. Ministers valued the EU-ASEAN-Partnership in the area of combating terrorism and promoting the ratification and implementation of the 16 UN counter-terrorism Conventions and Protocols. The EU regarded in particular the work carried
out by the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC), the South East Asian Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism (SEARCCT) in Kuala Lumpur and the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Bangkok as very useful, including the support given to the creation of regional networks of expertise and information-sharing. Ministers placed high priority on the conclusion of a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and remain committed to achieving consensus on that
subject in the UN. Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. By adopting the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by consensus on 8 September 2006, the General Assembly and the Member States of the UN demonstrated their unity and resolve in combating terrorism. The Ministers affirmed their commitment to co-operate closely for the implementation of the Strategy.
NEXT MEETING
32. Ministers agreed to meet again for the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia by 2009.
33. They tasked the EU-ASEAN SOM to speedily develop a Plan of Action to implement the Nuremberg Declaration on an EU-ASEAN Enhanced Partnership. At the same time, they instructed SOM to review the Ministerial meeting schedule.
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