[ASEANcats] Security and Stability, Dialogue, and People Engagement Central in ASEAN Briefing

ASEAN Update

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Security and Stability, Dialogue, and People Engagement Central in ASEAN Briefing

JAKARTA, 25 July 2012 – Security and stability in the region, ongoing dialogue with partners and stakeholders, and the engagement of the people of ASEAN continue to be central in the discussions among the stakeholders of ASEAN – academia, business representatives, civil society organisations, diplomatic community, media persons, and think tanks – when they gathered at the Post-45th AMM/PMC/19th ARF/2nd EAS FMM and Related Meetings Briefing, held today at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta.
During the briefing session, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan briefed the audience on the highlights, outcomes and follow-up actions from those Meetings. Dr. Surin highlighted the results of the meetings on headline-grabbing topics such as the South China Sea-related issue, the discussion about the South East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, the Declaration of Human Rights-related ongoing dialogue, and the meetings with Dialogue Partners during the Post Ministerial Conference (PMC).

On the controversial issue of the South China Sea, Dr Surin emphasised, “ASEAN and China will continue to explore and discuss items as outlined by the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties despite the tension of this issue that resulted in no Joint Communique during the meeting in Phnom Penh.” Dr. Surin pointed out that Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia has taken upon him the responsibility to approach all parties that resulted in a Joint Statement of all Foreign Ministers, naming the six main elements, and emphasising on thepeaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of International Law. He further said, “The key in moving forward on the issue is timing.”

The Secretary-General also reported progress in Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ) and ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. “Despite the reservations of several nations – including France, United Kingdom, and Russia – to sign the treaty, we are working on exploring these reservations, while at the same time hopeful that these nations will clarify their reservations,” said Dr. Surin. With regards to the ongoing dialogue about human rights, he said, “We are currently preparing to having the draft of the Declaration Human Rights endorsed during the Summit in November.”

To conclude the briefing Dr. Surin expressed his satisfaction with the positive tone that is common among meetings between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners during the Post Ministerial Conference (PMC). “ASEAN is looking forward to a positive future that is prosperous, safe, and secure. ASEAN also greatly appreciates every Dialogue Partner in their efforts and their tremendous contribution to enhance capacity and help implement programmes,” he further said.

For official documents stemming the 45th AMM/PMC/19th ARF/2nd EAS FMM and Related Meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, please clickhere.

To see the pictures from the Post-45th AMM/PMC/19th ARF/2nd EAS FMM and Related Meetings Briefing, please click here.