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Summit will reinforce ASEAN vision: Malaysia

Amit Baruah

Processes should move on parallel tracks without overlapping

KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed that the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the "ASEAN plus Three" (China, Japan and South Korea) processes should move on parallel tracks without overlapping.

In a formulation contained in the ASEAN Chairman's (Malaysia's) statement, the grouping also decided to propose the convening of the EAS on an annual basis to the other participants at the inaugural December 14 summit.

Community building

"We also agreed that the EAS should be a `top-down' forum for leaders to exchange views. We looked forward to the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East Asia Summit.

"We agreed that the efforts of the EAS to promote community building in this region will be consistent with and reinforce the vision of the ASEAN Community ... " Addressing a press conference, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar expressed the hope on Monday that China, South Korea and Japan would resolve their differences over issues of history.

"They must not bring the spill-over [of their problems] to the ASEAN plus Three process," Mr. Hamid said, admitting that these were sensitive issues left over from history. On Myanmar too, ASEAN leaders were direct, dropping their previous resistance to taking a stronger position. Mr. Hamid said Myanmar should not use "empty language" as far as the restoration of democracy was concerned. "They should do something which we can see and feel." According to the Chairman's statement, Mr. Hamid as Chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee would visit Myanmar to learn "first-hand" of the progress made in implementing its "roadmap" to democracy.

"We noted the increased interest of the international community on developments in Myanmar. In this context, we took note of the briefing by Myanmar on the latest developments in the implementation of the roadmap to democracy.

"We encouraged Myanmar to expedite the process and welcomed the invitation by Myanmar to the Foreign Minister of Malaysia ... to visit Myanmar to learn first-hand of the progress. We also called for the release of those placed under detention," the statement said, without making a reference to the continued detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a separate declaration, ASEAN leaders also agreed to establish an "ASEAN Charter" to serve as a legal and institutional framework of ASEAN.

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