On 24 October 2009, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Foreign Minister, gave a press briefing on the outcome of the 12th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, held earlier today (24 October). The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister of Thailand and participated by the Leaders of ASEAN Member States and Prime Minister of China, Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Republic of Korea. Gist of the discussion as follows:
- Leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues during their working lunch. They later discussed how to strengthen ASEAN Plus Three cooperation during the plenary session, particularly in the face of challenges brought about by the global financial and economic crisis, pandemics like Influenza A (H1N1), food and energy security, climate change, natural disasters and education. They also touched upon the issue of tourism and the role of the private sector. They agreed to move forward their cooperation in concrete terms.
- Leaders shared their views on the need to continue the momentum of economic recovery, including by implementing respective domestic economic stimulus measures and appropriate fiscal and monetary policies, and forge coordination to enhance the effect of those stimulus measures, while also continuing to promote trade and standing firm against protectionism. Meanwhile, it was proposed that in expanding intra-regional trade and investment, ASEAN+3 countries should make full use of regional and bilateral trade arrangements and work together to simplify customs clearance and investment procedures, and provide support to SMEs.
- On financial cooperation, Leaders stressed the importance given to the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) as a model for regional cooperation for reserve pooling to help countries with problems with financial liquidity. In this regard, they expressed full support for their Finance Ministers to finalize discussions on the remaining details by the end of 2009, including on the strengthening of the surveillance unit for CMI. In the meantime, they noted Thailand's proposal to temporarily host the unit pending final consideration on where the unit would be situated.
- Noting that East Asia has a large pool of foreign currency reserves, and that the region can play an important role in regional and global economic recovery, Leaders also reaffirmed their support for accelerating the establishment of Asian bond markets to help investors raise funds within the region.
- On the East Asia FTA, Leaders noted the potential for greater intra-regional trade, which reached USD 480 billion in 2008. They noted the recommendation from the 2nd phase of the EAFTA feasibility study that negotiations should be launched by 2012. They entrusted their economic ministers to begin discussion on the issue as soon as possible, while not precluding discussion with other trading partners — at the same time noting on-going deliberations on the idea of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA).
- The Japanese Prime Minister informed the meeting of his vision of an East Asia community, noting that he attached importance to concrete cooperation in areas that the countries concerned can actually cooperate, while also respecting diversity of the region. By connecting various initiatives, he noted that the region should be able to arrive at an East Asia community in the longer term.
- Leaders also agreed on the importance of enhancing connectivity between ASEAN and Plus Three countries. They noted that expedited construction of infrastructure networks would help underpin East Asia integration.
- On regional cooperation on food and energy security, Leaders supported the on-going discussion on making the Pilot Project on East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve (EAERR) a permanent mechanism. They expressed the hope that each country would contribute to the project. The need for technology exchange and expansion of distribution and related facilities was also emphasized with a view to enhancing productivity of agricultural products and accessibility to food. The need for cooperation on alternative energy was also noted.
- On public health concerns, particularly Influenza A (H1N1), Leaders emphasized the importance of regional cooperation. They also noted that Thailand would host a workshop on exercise programmes for personnel response to pandemics including Influenza A (H1N1). Japan has contributed an emergency grant of USD 10.8 million through WHO to support vaccination for countries around the world. It has also provided anti-viral agents for stockpiles in ASEAN countries and it would continue to conduct research with institutions in ASEAN on infectious diseases.
- On the ASEAN+3 Cooperation Fund set up in April 2009 (to be used for implementation of the Joint Statement and Work plan for ASEAN+3 cooperation), they noted Thailand's readiness to be the lead shepherd on education and its plan to hold a SOM on education in November 2009 to consider a plan of action in this regard.
- It was noted that cooperation on education would help advance mutual understanding among the peoples of East Asia. To this end, ASEAN+3 countries should promote high quality exchanges among students and explore the possibility of credit transfer among their universities.
- On natural disasters, they agreed on the need to build-up regional resiliency in terms of hardware and software and to exchange experience on how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters among East Asian countries. In this regard, Japan would hold an international conference to improve disaster management capability and community responses, and expressed the hope that ASEAN+3 countries would send representatives.
- The Prime Minister of Myanmar also took the opportunity to brief the meeting on the situation in Myanmar.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th
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