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ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers Meeting
(Summary)

July 28, 2005

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea (ASEAN+3) Foreign Ministers Meeting was held from 14:40 to 17:35 for approximately three hours on July 27 in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. (Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa attended the meeting representing Japan. The Chairman's Press Statement was also issued following the meeting.)

1. East Asia Summit (EAS)

The Ministers decided that, ASEAN+3, as well as Australia, New Zealand and India, would be included in the first East Asia Summit (EAS).

(1) Senior Vice-Minister Aisawa made the following statements expressing Japan's stance towards the EAS:

  • First, Japan expects that ASEAN continues to occupy the driver's seat in the EAS process. At the same time, Japan expects that ASEAN will continue to pay due heed to the opinions of Japan, China and the ROK, as well as to those of other countries concerned. Japan supports ASEAN's position that the EAS should be held only within ASEAN under an ASEAN chairmanship. However, we should also consider the possibility of introducing a co-chairmanship and of holding the EAS outside of the ASEAN region in the future.
  • Secondly, with regard to the distinctions between the EAS and ASEAN+3 summit, the first EAS should strategically discuss principles of and basic approaches to regional cooperation from a broader perspective, and to announce the outcome of such discussions in the form of a declaration. The ASEAN+3 summit should discuss further promotion of various types of functional cooperation from a more practical standpoint. In order to promote open regional cooperation, it is important to include Australia, New Zealand and India, and to further involve the United States and other countries in a positive way in such cooperation.
  • Thirdly, on the basis of the fundamental principle of "open regional cooperation" basic approaches to regional cooperation should be reaffirmed at the EAS, with a focus on the following: (i) functional approach; (ii) respect for and observation of universal values, including freedom, democracy and human rights, and global rules; (iii) promotion of people-to-people and intellectual exchanges with a view to deepening a sense of commonality; and (iv) security cooperation should be mainly pursued in non-traditional areas for the time being.
  • At the first EAS, agreement should be attained to start work on compiling a basic document that can serve as a new platform for regional cooperation in a format that utilizes the existing ASEAN+3 frameworks while enabling appropriate cooperation from all the participants in the EAS. Japan requests other participating countries to refer to "Database on Regional Cooperation in East Asia" which it proposed at this meeting.

(2) Malaysia indicated that it was seeking to compile a joint declaration to be issued both at the EAS and ASEAN+3 Summit in December. Malaysia, the next ASEAN presidency, also indicated that it was seeking to compile the draft documents for this declaration and for it to be considered by other ASEAN countries before being consulted on with Japan, China and the ROK. Malaysia also stated the view that the EAS should serve to enhance the existing ASEAN+3 process as well as function in a way to deepen dialogue between East Asia and ASEAN+3.

(3) China stated its support for the leading role of ASEAN in the EAS. It also indicated support for the three criteria agreed by ASEAN concerning the membership of the EAS and inclusion of Australia, New Zealand and India. With regard to the distinction with the ASEAN+3 Summit, China stated that ASEAN+3 should discuss practical cooperation, whereas the EAS should be tasked with discussions on broader issues. China stated that it would respect the consensus among ASEAN concerning the host country and that the EAS could be held once every two or three years, or even at a longer interval.

(4) The ROK noted that 2007 would mark the tenth anniversary of the ASEAN+3 process and that in the milestone year a second joint declaration should be issued at the ASEAN+3 Summit. The ROK also noted that such a declaration should show concrete cooperation measures with a view to the next ten years of cooperation.

2. Issues relating to North Korea

(1) China stated as follows: The process of the Six-Party Talks is a peaceful and effective means of resolving nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula. China has actively cooperated with both North Korea and the United States. With regard to the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks, which started in Beijing on July 26, China expects all parties concerned to discuss in a constructive and sincere manner and to make substantial progress.

(2) The ROK made the following statements:

  • The Six-Party Talks in essence comprise a series of bilateral talks, such as the ROK-North Korea and the US-North Korea talks. China is to be appreciated for bringing North Korea back to the negotiating table. The tenacious efforts made by the United States were also important. Japan has been in close cooperation with the ROK and the United States.
  • It is important that the Six-Party Talks make substantial and significant progress. Even if the current talks fail to bring forth concrete results, such results should be substantiated in the near future. The ROK is prepared to provide power capacity of 2,000 megawatts to North Korea conditional upon the dismantlement of its nuclear weapons and nuclear programs. The ROK has taken an approach that in parallel with North Korea's commitment toward the dismantlement, the ROK will proceed with construction of power transmission lines, and it is prepared to provide heavy fuel oil during the period of construction of the power lines. A strategic decision is required of North Korea and efforts must be made by the parties concerned towards economic assistance and normalization of relations. The ROK appreciates the assistance of the Lao PDR, the host country of the ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers Meeting, in coordinating the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea on July 28.
  • The ROK also seeks to make efforts to improve relations between the North and South. The ROK welcomes actions by ASEAN to invite senior North Korean officials and offer economic assistance to North Korea as efforts that could contribute to a resolution of the nuclear issue.

(3) Senior Vice-Minister Aisawa made the following statements:

  • Japan welcomes the resumption of the Six-Party Talks one year and one month after they were last convened. Japan also respects the contributions of all countries concerned in resuming the talks, in particular China as the host of the talks and the ROK. It is important that the Six-Party Talks make substantive progress. Japan seeks to play a constructive role based on its policy to pursue complete dismantlement of all of North Korea's nuclear programs subject to international verification. Japan hopes that the energy assistance proposed by the ROK will expedite the negotiations.
  • Though nuclear issues are a central agenda of the Six-Party Talks, it is important that all issues be comprehensively resolved. Japan would like to address not only the issue of normalization of relations with North Korea, but also missile issues, and human rights and humanitarian concerns. Above all, Japan would like to ask for the understanding and support of the ASEAN countries with regard to a resolution of the abduction issue.

(4) Many of the ASEAN countries welcomed the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and expressed their expectations that there would be progress in the talks. The Thai Foreign Minister introduced his impressions concerning the visit of the North Korean Foreign Minister to Thailand.

3. United Nations and Security Council Reform

(1) China welcomed and supported the Statement of the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN on the reform of the United Nations issued on July 26, stating that it was imprudent to push ahead in haste without reaching consensus on the reform. In addition, China stated that since the heart of UN reform lay in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the reform of the Security Council should be done in a way that would enhance the representativeness of developing countries.

(2) The ROK stated that the confrontation concerning the reform of the Security Council was obstructing the development of other United Nations reforms. The ROK stated that it expected the G4 countries to come to a swift judgment on Security Council reform and that hasty reform would only prove counter-productive. The ROK said that it was encouraged by the Statement of the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN.

(3) Senior Vice-Minister Aisawa made the following statements: In order to make the 2005 World Summit in September a success, it is necessary to carry out reforms in various areas, including the Security Council, development, human rights, peace-building, and increasing the efficiency of the United Nations. With regard to Security Council reform, the foreign ministers of the G4 and the African Union (AU) met on July 25 and reached a broad agreement to aim for a unified draft resolution. The plan is to propose to add one more non-permanent member's seat which will be floated among the developing countries of African, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean States. Drafting of the joint draft resolution is currently underway in New York, and after considering the way forward, we would like to show this to other member States of the United Nations. The joint draft resolution will increase both permanent and non-permanent members, and also better represent developing countries. Japan is convinced that the resolution will be supported by many countries.

(4) Singapore stated that repeated lobbying from Japan and China were compelling ASEAN to make a choice between the two, and that there was a concern that the conflicting positions on the G4 draft resolution could affect the solidarity of the ASEAN countries. Singapore also showed its expectation that differences in the positions of Japan and China would be overcome through wisdom and spirit of reconciliation. In addition, the Philippines stated that its position was in accordance with the Statement of the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN.

4. Measures Against Terrorism and Piracy

(1) The ROK strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in London and Egypt and announced that it was going to sign a joint statement with ASEAN concerning terrorism.

(2) Senior Vice-Minister Aisawa made the following statements:

  • We must not rest or let up in the fight against terrorism, and it is therefore necessary to further develop countermeasures. Japan continues to support international counter-terrorism efforts, while utilizing Official Development Assistance (ODA).
  • From the perspective of maritime security in Asia, it is important that the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia is put into force as early as possible. Japan expects that all countries concerned will conclude the agreement as a matter of urgency.
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