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Third ASEAN Informal Summit



Third ASEAN Informal Summit

The New Light of Myanmar ( 1-12-99 )
Tekkatho Tin Kha

 
The Third ASEAN Informal Summit of the Heads of State/Government of the 
member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations was 
successfully, held in Manila, the Philippines, on 28.November.

The Third ASEAN Informal Summit coincided with the time when South-East Asian 
nations and some east Asian nations have overcome economic and social crises 
resulting from the monetary and financial crisis that had swept the region 
since the middle of 1997 and are on the track of the upward economic trend 
and the end of the 20th Century. Hence, the Third ASEAN Informal Summit is a- 
meeting that has provided an impetus to expedite work to achieve peace and 
prosperity of the South-East Asian Nations in the 21st Century.

The Third ASEAN Informal Summit was attended by the Heads of State/Government 
of ASEAN nations, namely, HM Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Prime 
Minister Mr Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia, President Mr Abdurrahman Wahid of 
Indonesia, Prime Minister Mr Sisavath Keobounphanh of Lao People's Democratic 
Republic, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar,Special Representative of the Malaysian 
Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, President Mr 
J Ejercito Estrada of the Philippines, Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong of 
Republic of Singapore, Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai of Thailand and Prime 
Minister of Vietnam Mr Phan Van Khai.

The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been holding two 
types of summits to deal with economic, political and social affairs of the 
countries in the region. One summit is that held regularly every two years 
and the informal summit held in between. Since the founding of the 
association more than 32 years ago, a total of six summits has been held with 
two-year intervals.At the ASEAN Informal Summit, the ASEAN leaders had the 
opportunity to openly discuss with the dialogue partners on matters of mutual 
interest.

Of the six summits, the  Sixth Summit was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 15 and 
16 December 1998. With a view to realizing the ASEAN Vision 2020, the Sixth 
Summit unanimously singed the Declaration of the Hanoi Plan of 
Action.Moreover, the Sixth ASEAN Summit reaffirmed the ASEAN family spirit 
with emphasis on unity and  cooperation with the aim of  achieving peace, 
stability and harmonious progress of  ASEAN.

At the Sixth ASEAN Summit, Chairman of the State Peace and Development 
Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe 
in explicitly stating the stand of Myanmar, an ASEAN member, said all the 
ASEAN members are united with their strict adherence to the respect for one 
another's sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other 
countries. Moreover, the Senior General also expressed his firm belief in 
realization of the aims of the ASEAN Vision 2020.

Furthermore. Senior General Than Shwe indicated the three challenges which 
the ASEAN nations had to overcome. The first of the three challenges, he 
said, was to confront and overcome the monetary and economic difficulties. 
However, he said, individual ASEAN nations had firm economic base and they 
possessed the ASEAN spirit of cooperation. Hence, he said, the ASEAN region 
would regain its position as the highest growth region in economy in the 
world. 

The second challenge, he said, was strengthening of ASEAN unity. He said it 
was natural that while the member nations enjoyed many similarities, there 
were also differences in levels of development, as well as political and 
economic systems and outlooks. Nonetheless, he said, it was an undeniable 
fact that throughout its history ASEAN had achieved substantial integration 
and as such, he said, he believed ASEAN had overcome the second challenge.

Thirdly, he said, was the challenge to the ASEAN way of life. He said there 
were some people who were denigrating ASEAN values and ASEAN ways while 
expressing doubt about the future of the Association itself. He said Myanmar 
believed such statements were wrong. He said though the region faced 
financial and economic difficulties at that time having to readjust 
political, economic and social affairs to suit new circumstances and 
conditions, all ASEAN members remained united in the commitment to ASEAN 
ideals for regional integration. He said the ASEAN way of seeking consensus 
continued to be valid at present as it had strengthened the relations of the 
members throughout its existence. The Senior General thus expressed his 
belief the Association would be able to overcome the third challenge.

At the preliminary meeting of the Foreign Ministers, Finance Ministers and 
Economic Ministers of the ASEAN nations on ! November held prior to the Third 
ASEAN Informal Summit, the ministers observed that ASESAN nations were 
heading for peace and prosperity at present after experiencing economic slump 
for two years. They voiced their commitment to strenuous and concerted 
efforts to include the ASEAN region in the world's rapid economic progress. 
Moreover, they also discussed to move more profoundly and broadly to prevent 
a recurrence of monetary and financial crisis experienced by ASEAN nations.

These conditions reflected the points in the statement of Senior General Than 
Shwe made at the Sixth ASEAN Summit. At the Third ASEAN Informal Summit, 
Senior General Than Shwe had been able to further consolidate personal 
rapport with Heads of State and Government of nine other ASEAN members and 
those of the dialogue partners, three Asian nations, namely, People's 
Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea and hold frank discussions.

Moreover, the Senior General also held separate meetings with Japanese Prime 
Minister Mr Keizo Obuchi and President of Republic of Korea Mr Kim Dae Jung 
an discussed matters of mutual interest. 

Hence, the Third ASEAN Informal Summit is a meeting that has promoted 
friendship and mutual cooperation between Myanmar and other ASEAN member 
nations and Myanmar and the People' s Republic of China, Japan and Republic 
of Korea.