EXTERNAL RELATIONS
ꦅ 78. We reaffirmed ourefforts to continue enhancing ASEAN’s external relations. In thisregard, we reiterated the importance of ASEAN Centrality in the evolvingregional architecture and reaffirmed our commitments to work closelywith all our partners through various ASEAN-led mechanisms, includingASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three, ARF, ADMM-Plus and EAS, in ensuringthe maintenance of peace, stability, security and prosperity in theregion.
79. We noted with satisfaction the importantdevelopments in ASEAN’s external relations, in particular the progressmade with our Dialogue Partners over the past year. We also welcomed theaccreditation of Ambassadors to ASEAN from seventy-eight non-ASEANMember States and one regional organisation.
80. Weacknowledged the rapidly changing dynamics of our region and the world,as well as the increased interest of external parties in ASEANcooperation and the potential for ASEAN to benefit from newopportunities, including through the use of the Guidelines for ASEAN’sExternal Relations. We looked forward to the HLTF’s recommendations onASEAN’s conduct of external relations, including through, among others,the issue of moratorium.
ASEAN-Australia
ꦑ 81. We noted with satisfaction that 2014 marked the 40 thAnniversary of the ASEAN-Australia dialogue relations and welcomed aseries of commemorative activities. In this respect, we looked forwardto the convening of the ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit inconjunction with the 25 th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits inNovember 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, and the adoption of a joint statement thatwill set the future direction of our relations.
86. We supported efforts to promotemutual understanding and strengthen the institutional andpeople-to-people linkages between Australia and countries in theregion, especially in education. We welcomed the pilot programme of theNew Colombo Plan and the expansion of this programme to all ASEAN MemberStates from 2015. We noted Australia ’s commitment of A$100 millionover five years to implement the New Colombo Plan.
ASEAN-Canada
87. We noted the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-CanadaPlan of Action to implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-CanadaEnhanced Partnership (2010-2015). We welcomed the adoption of the Termsof Reference of the ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership Program (ACEPP)which provides CAD$10 million funding support to ASEAN’s projects andcommunity-building efforts.
88. We noted that the ASEAN EconomicMinisters’ Road-show to Canada in June 2014 was a good opportunityfor ASEAN and Canada to explore ways to enhance economic, trade andinvestment cooperation.
89. We noted with appreciation Canada’s support to enhance ASEAN Secretariat’s information management anddocumentation system through ASEAN Online.
ASEAN-China
90. We noted with satisfaction the collective commitment of ASEAN andChina to further strengthen ASEAN-China relationship by enhancing mutualtrust and confidence and promoting cooperation in thepolitical-security, economic, and social-cultural areas as outlined inthe Joint Statement of the 16 th ASEAN-China Summit in Commemorationof the 10 th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, aswell as the Joint Statement of the 15 th ASEAN-China Summit on the10 th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct ofParties in the South China Sea (DOC).
91. We welcomed China ’scommitment to support ASEAN Community building efforts and enhanceASEAN-China relations, through among others, China ’s proposals andinitiatives to support ASEAN Connectivity initiatives, advance maritimecooperation, and intensify people-to-people exchanges. In this regard,we looked forward to working closely with China to furtherstrengthen the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership.
92. Wereiterated the importance of effective utilisation of the ASEAN-ChinaFree Trade Agreement (ACFTA) in order for ASEAN and China to be ableto achieve the targets of two-way trade volume of US$ 500 billion by2015 and US$ 1 trillion by 2020, as well as two-way investment of US$150 billion in the next 6 years. We welcomed the efforts to strengtheneconomic cooperation which will contribute to improving overall marketaccess and lead to increasing total trade volume and investment flowsbetween ASEAN and China, including the initiative for an upgraded ACFTA.
93. We welcomed the various meaningful activities held inASEAN Member States and China in connection with the 2014ASEAN-China Cultural Exchange Year, including the Opening Ceremony on 7April 2014 in Beijing . We also looked forward to future activitiesto promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in relevant fieldsas well as supporting the ASEAN-China Plan of Action on CultureCooperation.
94. We noted with satisfaction the progress in theimplementation of the 2011-2015 Plan of Action (POA) to implement theJoint Declaration on the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace andProsperity.
95. We welcomed the First Country CoordinatorsMeeting of the Network of ASEAN-China Think-Tanks (NACT CCM) which washeld on 3 July 2014 in Beijing , China , and looked forward to anincrease in academic exchanges between ASEAN and China .
ASEAN-EU
96. We noted with satisfaction the progress in the implementation ofthe Bandar Seri Begawan Plan of Action to Strengthen the ASEAN-EUEnhanced Partnership (2013-2017). We welcomed the EU’s continued supportfor ASEAN to successfully build the ASEAN Community by 2015 throughvarious development cooperation programmes such as the ASEAN RegionalIntegration Support by the EU (ARISE), the ASEAN Air TransportIntegration Project (AATIP) and the Regional EU-ASEAN DialogueInstrument (READI).
97. We welcomed the successful convening ofthe 20 th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) on 23 July 2014 inBrussels and noted the positive outcomes of the meeting , includingthe decision to enhance connectivity between the two regions and supportfor the implementation of the MPAC; enhancing maritime security andsafety cooperation such as information sharing and capacity building;and working towards upgrading the partnership to a strategic one.
98.We appreciated the EU’s support for ASEAN’s institution building and2015 Community building goals through its commitment of €170 million forthe period of 2014 - 2020, including its significant contribution toenhancing ASEAN Connectivity and narrowing the development gap. We alsoencouraged the EU to constructively engage with and support ASEANsub-regional cooperative mechanisms and initiatives.
99. Wewelcomed cooperation between ASEAN and the EU on maritime issues andnoted the outcomes arising from in-depth discussions of the ASEAN-EUHigh Level Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation in Jakarta in November2013.
100. We welcomed the convening of the 1 st ASEAN-EUPolicy Dialogue on Connectivity on 24-28 February 2014 in Brusselsand called for the EU’s continued support and cooperation in theimplementation of the MPAC to forge greater ASEAN-EU connectivity. Wealso noted with satisfaction that the EU, including the EuropeanInvestment Bank, agreed to explore financial support to theinfrastructure connectivity inspired by the MPAC.
101. Wewelcomed the adoption of the Joint Declaration on EU-ASEAN AviationCooperation at the 1 st EU-ASEAN Aviation Summit held on 11-12February 2014 in Singapore, and noted the EU’s intent to startnegotiations on a comprehensive EU-ASEAN air transport agreement. Inthis regard, we looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN-EU AviationWorking Group which will discuss and monitor progress in the entirerange of areas of cooperation in aviation.
102. We reaffirmedour commitment to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and the EU,including the possibility of resuming negotiations of an ASEAN-EU FreeTrade Agreement, upon realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community by theend of 2015. We noted the progress of the bilateral Free TradeAgreement (FTA) negotiations and discussion between individual ASEANMember States and the EU, and we looked forward to the convening ofthe 13 th Consultations between ASEAN Economic Ministers and the EUTrade Commissioner which is expected to be held in August 2014 inMyanmar .
103. We welcomed the ASEAN-EU Emergency ManagementProgramme (AEEMP), which would provide support to ASEAN MemberStates , the AHA Centre, and the ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEAN-India
104. We noted the progress of work under the ASEAN-India Plan ofAction to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress andShared Prosperity (2010-2015). We looked forward to the effectiveimplementation of the Vision Statement of the 2012 ASEAN-IndiaCommemorative Summit.
105. We encouraged ASEAN-India cooperationto further address transnational and non-traditional securitychallenges, particularly in the field of combating terrorism, illicitdrug trafficking, trafficking in persons, maritime security andcyber-crime.
106. We agreed to further promote maritimecooperation to address common challenges on maritime issues, includingsea piracy, search and rescue at sea, maritime environment, maritimeconnectivity, freedom of navigation, fisheries and other areas ofcooperation.
107. We noted that the total two-way trade betweenASEAN and India grew by 5.3% in the past years and called for furtherencouragement and promotion of business-to-business contact to achievegreater trade and investment between ASEAN and India . In thisregard, we looked forward to the signing of the ASEAN-India Services andInvestment Agreements at the forthcoming 12 th AEM-IndiaConsultations in August 2014.
108. We expressed our appreciationon the support of India in the implementation of the MPAC as it willenhance regional integration and better linkages between ASEAN andIndia . We encouraged further India ’s support, especially in thefield of maritime connectivity and information and communicationtechnology (ICT). We looked forward to the expeditious conclusion of theexisting ASEAN-India transport initiatives including the ASEAN-IndiaAir Transport Agreement and the India-Myanmar-Thailand TrilateralHighway Project and its extension to Lao PDR and Cambodia, and thedevelopment of the new highway also linking Viet Nam, which will enhanceconnectivity between and beyond both sides, and strengthen trade,investment, businesses and tourism flows.
109. Werecognised that ASEAN and India are moving forward in enhancingcooperation in the field of science and technology by utilising theASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund.
110.We also noted with satisfaction the successful convening of the DelhiDialogue VI in March 2014 and the 2 nd Round Table on ASEAN- IndiaNetwork of Think Tank (AINTT) in September 2013 in Vientiane .
111.We reiterated the need to strengthen ASEAN-India cooperation inagriculture and energy in order to ensure long-term food security andenergy security, especially with the use of appropriate technologies,for the benefit of the peoples in our region.
ASEAN-Japan
ꦦ 112. We noted with satisfaction the progress made in ASEAN-Japanrelations in the past year, including the outcomes of the ASEAN-JapanCommemorative Summit to commemorate the 40 th Anniversary ofASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. In this connection, we agreed tofurther strengthen our cooperation across all areas ofpolitical-security, economic and social-cultural development.
114. Wevalued Japan ’s important role and significant contribution to theimplementation of the MPAC. We welcomed Japan ’s initiative for theconclusion of a regional air services agreement with ASEAN at theASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in December 2013. We looked forward tothe convening of the ASEAN-Japan Working Group on Regional Air ServicesArrangements, and recognised that it is important for ASEAN to pursue amutually beneficial, liberal and substantial agreement with Japan tostrengthen air connectivity in support of tourism, trade and investmentflows.
115. We noted the contribution of Japan to theefforts in narrowing development gap toward ASEAN integration throughthe promotion of sharing and exchange of experience and good practicesbetween ASEAN Member States, particularly the CLMV countries.
ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK)
116. We noted with satisfaction that this year marks the 25 thAnniversary of ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations and welcomed the overallprogress of cooperation over the years. In this respect, we welcomed aseries of commemorative activities throughout the year and lookedforward to the successful convening of the ASEAN-ROK CommemorativeSummit in Busan, ROK, on 11-12 December 2014 to give momentum tosubstantively enhance partnership cooperation between ASEAN and the ROKin the years to come.
117. We welcomed the progress of theimplementation of the Plan of Action to Implement ASEAN-ROK StrategicPartnership for Peace and Prosperity 2011-2015.
118. We notedthe discussion on political and security cooperation between ASEAN andthe ROK, through a dedicated agenda on political security-relatedmatters during the 18 th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue in Busan, ROK.
119. We emphasised the importance of fully utilising the ASEAN-KoreaFree Trade Area (AKFTA) and ASEAN-Korea Business Council to reach thetarget of USD150 billion trade volume by 2015.
120. We welcomedthe Extension of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Forest Cooperation(AFoCo) Agreement. We looked forward to the effective implementation ofthe Agreement to support sustainable forest management and otherforest-related activities, including prevention of deforestation andforest degradation as well as address the impact of climate change.
121.We looked forward to the conclusion of the ASEAN-ROK Air ServicesAgreement, and recognised that it is important for ASEAN to pursue amutually beneficial, liberal and substantial agreement with the ROK tostrengthen air connectivity in support of tourism, trade and investmentflows.
ASEAN-New Zealand
ꦜ 122. Wenoted the progress of implementation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan ofAction (2010-2015) and the successful implementation of the fourflagship initiatives, namely the ASEAN-New Zealand ScholarshipsProgramme, Young Business Leaders Exchange Programme, Initiatives onDisaster Risk Management Programme and the Agricultural DiplomacyProgramme.
125. We noted withappreciation New Zealand ’s continued support to ASEAN instrengthening the ASEAN Secretariat through the AANZFTA Support Unit ofthe ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEAN-Russia
🅺 126. We noted the progress of the implementation of the Roadmap of theComprehensive Programme of Action between ASEAN and the RussianFederation for 2005-2015. We looked forward to implementing moreconcrete activities, focusing on industry, finance, SMEs, information,sports, and disaster management, ICT, environment managementcooperation, and people to people interactions between ASEAN andRussia.
127. We appreciated Russia ’s commitment incontributing USD1.5 million annually to the ASEAN-Russian FederationDialogue Partnership Financial Fund (ARDPFF) since 2011 . We encouragedthe utilisation of the ARDPFF to facilitate and expedite the remainingwork of the current Comprehensive Programme of Action.
128. Wecontinued to work with Russia to further enhance our cooperation toimplement the ASEAN-Russia Joint Declaration for Cooperation to CombatInternational Terrorism through dialogue and capacity building.
129. We welcomed Russia ’s interest to support ASEAN Connectivity and noted their intention to work with the ACCC.
ASEAN-US
𒈔 130. We noted with satisfaction the successful convening of the FirstASEAN-US Summit held in October 2013 in Bandar Seri Begawan , whichsymbolised efforts of both sides to elevate the ASEAN-US partnership to astrategic level, and acknowledged the progress of implementation of thePlan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership forEnduring Peace and Prosperity (2011 – 2015).
132. We encouraged both sides to fully utilise the ASEAN-USTrade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and the ExpandedEconomic Engagement (E3) initiative to further create economicopportunities and shared prosperity. We welcomed the US-ASEAN BusinessSummit scheduled to take place in August 2014.
133. We welcomedthe progress of ASEAN-US cooperation in various areas, includingmaritime security, transnational crime, humanitarian assistance anddisaster relief, energy, education, rule of law, and development in theLower Mekong sub-region.
ASEAN Plus Three
𝐆 134. We expressed our satisfaction with the comprehensive ASEAN PlusThree Cooperation Framework and took note of the progress ofimplementation of the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan (2013-2017)and on-going work to undertake a review and assessment of therecommended actions in the Report of the East Asia Vision Group II.
137.Encouraged by the substantial progress made on the implementation of theASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Agreement, we furtherrecommended deeper cooperation among the ASEAN Plus Three countries tostrengthen food security cooperation in the region. We also underlinedour support for the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) to befurther strengthened and developed into the ASEAN Plus Three foodsecurity information system.
𒆙 138. We welcomed the steadyand continued focus on finance and monetary cooperation, in particularthe implementation of the CMIM and the Asian Bond Market Initiative(ABMI). We noted that the 17 th Meeting of the ASEAN+3 FinanceMinisters and Central Bank Governors (AFMGM+3) on 3 May 2014 in Astana,Kazakhstan, welcomed the completion of the revised OperationalGuidelines of the amended CMIM agreement and agreed to endorse the“Guidelines for the Further Cooperation with the International MonetaryFund” to help enhance CMIM’s effectiveness.
139. We lookedforward to the convening of the ASEAN Plus Three forum on goodgovernance on 25 September 2014 in Myanmar . We believed the forumwould contribute to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of publicadministration, enhancing institutional capacity within the ASEANCommunity and increasing the independence and transparency of judicialand legislative systems in the region.
140. We took note ofthe importance of the Trilateral cooperation as complementary part ofthe ASEAN Plus Three partnership. In this regard, we encouraged theholding of dialogue or other consultation mechanisms among China ,Japan and the Republic of Korea to ensure smooth and swifttransition of the ASEAN Plus Three co-coordinatorship.
East Asia Summit
൩ 141. We welcomed the significant progress made by the East Asia Summitprocess. We reaffirmed our commitment to further promote the EAS as aLeaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic,political, and economic issues of common interest based on theprinciples, objectives and modalities of the EAS as reflected in the2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East Asia Summit, the 2010 Ha NoiDeclaration on the Commemoration of the 5 th Anniversary of the EastAsia Summit, and the 2011 Declaration of the East Asia Summit on thePrinciples for Mutually Beneficial Relations (Bali Principles), withASEAN as the driving force.
144. Further to our Leaders’commitment in promoting food security and cooperation, we welcomed theconvening of three study group meetings of the East Asia Summit Track IIStudy Group on Enhancing Food Security through Sustainable FisheriesManagement and Marine Environment Conservation.
145. Weunderscored the importance of promoting maritime cooperation so that wecould effectively manage maritime-related issues, including maritimesecurity, maritime connectivity, freedom of navigation, search andrescue, marine environmental protection, and fisheries.
Engagement with other external parties
146. We agreed to adopt the Joint Statement on ASEAN-NorwayPartnership, which would serve as a roadmap for the ASEAN-NorwayPartnership that is action-oriented, mutually beneficial andforward-looking, and comprising political and security cooperation,economic cooperation and socio-cultural cooperation.
ASEAN Regional Forum
147. We reaffirmed the importance of the ARF as a primary forum tofoster constructive dialogue, consultation, and cooperation on politicaland security issues of common interest and concern. We reiteratedASEAN’s centrality and active role as the driving force within the ARFprocess. We also reiterated our commitment to implement the Ha Noi Planof Action to Implement the ARF Vision Statement to advance the ARFprocess toward a Preventive Diplomacy phase, while continuing efforts inConfidence Building Measures, through the implementation of concrete,action-oriented, and practical activities. We underscored the need forthe ARF to continue pursuing synergy and effective coordination with theADMM Plus and other ASEAN-led mechanisms.
REGIONAL SECURITY ARCHITECTURE
148. We reiterated the importance of preserving ASEAN Centrality inthe evolving regional architecture. Recalling the Leaders’ decision inthe Nay Pyi Taw Declaration on Realisation of the ASEAN Community by2015, we tasked the officials to explore the possibility for a regionalframework, such as a TAC-like treaty, based on the principles containedin the TAC and in line with the spirit of the 2011 Declaration of theEast Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations(Bali Principles). In this regard, we welcomed Indonesia ’s effort topropose a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in the wider Indo-Pacificregion and looked forward to further details from Indonesia . Wetherefore welcomed Indonesia ’s proposal to host the 3 rd EASWorkshop on Regional Security Architecture.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
South China Sea
👍 149. We remained seriously concerned over recent developments whichhad increased tensions in the South China Sea and reaffirmed theimportance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime security as well asfreedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea.
151. We urgedall parties concerned to exercise self-restraint and avoid actionswhich would complicate the situation and undermine peace, stability, andsecurity in the South China Sea and to settle disputes through peacefulmeans, without resorting to the threat or use of force, includingfriendly dialogue, consultations and negotiations, in accordance withuniversally recognised principles of international law, including the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
♎ 152. We further stressed the importance of the collective commitmentsof ASEAN Member States and China to peace, stability, maritimesecurity and mutual trust in the region and the need to createconditions conducive for the peaceful settlement of disputes. We agreedto intensify consultations with China on measures and mechanisms toensure and further enhance the full and effective implementation of theDOC in its entirety, particularly Articles 4 and 5 as well assubstantive negotiations for the early conclusion of the Code of Conductin the South China Sea (COC). We tasked our Senior Officials to followup on this matter.
154.We underscored the importance of maintaining the momentum ofconsultations and expeditiously working towards the early conclusion ofthe COC following the constructive outcomes of the 7 th ASEAN-ChinaSenior Officials Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC (SOM on DOC)held on 21 April 2014 in Pattaya, Thailand and the 10 th and 11 thASEAN-China Joint Working Groups on the Implementation of the DOC (JWGon DOC) held on 18 March 2014 in Singapore and 25 June 2014 in Bali,Indonesia, respectively. In this regard, we looked forward to moresubstantive discussions at the 8 th SOM on DOC to be convenedback-to-back with the 12 th JWG on DOC in October 2014 in Bangkok ,Thailand .
155. We noted the paper on the Triple ActionPlan introduced by the Philippines and other proposals on Article 5of the DOC raised by other ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the South ChinaSea .
Korean Peninsula
156. We welcomed the holding of inter-Korean family reunions in theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the outcome of therecent dialogue between Japan and the DPRK to settle pending issues.However, we expressed our concern over the recent developments in theKorean Peninsula, particularly over the testing of ballistic missiles,and reiterated calls for full compliance with relevant UNSC Resolutionsand commitments under the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement of theSix-Party Talks. We highlighted the importance of enhancing dialogue andcreating an atmosphere conducive for the early resumption of theSix-Party Talks which would pave the way for a peaceful denuclearisationof the Korean Peninsula . To this end, we highly recommended thatthe ARF, of which all Six-Party Talks participants are members, couldcontribute to forging a conducive atmosphere for the resumption of theSix-Party Talks.
Ukraine
157. We expressed our support for the peaceful efforts taken by allparties to resolve the situation in Ukraine . We reiterated ourconcern over the situation in Ukraine and called upon all partiesconcerned for a broad dialogue aimed at de-escalation and peacefulpolitical solution in compliance with the fundamental principles ofinternational law. We thus underlined the urgent need to de-escalatetensions in Eastern Ukraine , and for all parties to agree on animmediate, genuine and sustainable ceasefire. We urged all concernedparties to come together to negotiate a resolution peacefully inaccordance with international law.
The Downing of Malaysia Airlines MH-17
158. We recalled our Joint Statement issued on 19 July 2014 condemningthe downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Donetsk Oblast,Ukraine , on 17 July 2014 which killed 298 people. While recognisingthat parties controlling the area of the crash site and surroundingareas have facilitated efforts towards gaining access thereto, moreneeds to be done to ensure that all remains may be gathered andrepatriated as soon as possible and in a dignified manner. We demandedthat all military activities, including by armed groups, be halted inthe immediate and surrounding crash site to allow safe and unimpededaccess to the site by the international investigation team probing thecause of the crash. We further demanded that those responsible for theheinous act be held to account and swiftly brought to justice.
Middle East
159. We strongly condemned the loss of thousands of civilian lives andcountless wounded, and the targeting of schools designated assafe-houses/shelters managed by the United Nations Relief and WorksAgency (UNRWA) as well as civilian institutions in Gaza, including theAl-Shifa Hospital, the Al-Aqsa Hospital and the Islamic University ofGaza and places of worship. We also strongly condemned the hiding ofweapons in UN premises and the use of human shields, which put innocentcivilians in the harm’s way. We called on the international community,in particular the United Nations Security Council to act swiftly anddecisively to end the current crisis through dialogue and negotiation.We demand full respect for international humanitarian law, including theprotection of civilians and the provision and distribution ofhumanitarian assistance.
Syria
160. We expressed deep concern over the continued deterioration of thehumanitarian situation in Syria and condemned the use of chemicalweapons in Syria which has caused the loss of lives. We supportedthe joint efforts of the United Nations and the Organisation for theProhibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in dismantling Syria ’schemical weapons stockpiles. We supported the provision of humanitarianaid to alleviate the suffering of civilians and underlined the need toensure unrestricted access to humanitarian assistance. We underscoredthe importance of resolving the crisis in a peaceful manner andsupported all efforts, particularly by the United Nations, including theadoption of the UNSC Resolutions 2118, 2139 and 2165.
Iraq
161. We condemned the recent attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq andSyria (ISIS) in Iraq which threatened the peace and stability of theregion. We called on the Iraqi government to effectively resolve thesituation and called on all parties to ensure access to humanitarianassistance to those affected by insecurity and conflict.
Afghanistan
162. We welcomed the recent elections in Afghanistan , which markedan important step towards a peaceful political transition in thecountry. We reaffirmed our commitment to Afghanistan ’s transitionand looked forward to the orderly and peaceful transition to a newadministration.
G-20
163. Wewelcomed the outcomes of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central BankGovernors’ Meetings, as well as the recently concluded G20 TradeMinisters’ Meeting in July 2014. We appreciated the G-20’s commitment todevelop ambitious but realistic policies with the aim of increasingglobal growth by more than two percent over the next five years anddeveloping new measures, in the context of maintaining fiscalsustainability and financial sector stability, to significantly raiseglobal growth. We were pleased with the opportunities to share ASEAN’sviews on current issues affecting the global economy in the G-20 throughthe regular participation of the ASEAN Chair at the G-20 meetings. Wecontinued to support the work of the G20 to achieve strong, sustainableand balanced growth. In this regard, we expressed our support forAustralia ’s hosting of the 2014 G-20 Summit .
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
164. We noted APEC's on-going contribution to the promotion of opentrade and investment, regional economic integration, economicdevelopment and prosperity, and welcomed progress towards achieving theBogor Goals of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by2020. We expressed our support for the APEC Blueprint on Connectivitytaking into account of the MPAC. We looked forward to the APEC Blueprinton Connectivity providing concrete outcomes to enhance connectivity inboth Southeast Asia and the greater Asia Pacific region. We expressedour support for China ’s hosting of the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders’Meeting.
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
165. We reaffirmed our support and commitment to a balanced,transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied bythe WTO. We welcomed the outcomes of the 9 th WTO MinisterialConference held in December 2013 in Bali , Indonesia , including the“Bali Package” of decisions on trade facilitation, agriculture anddevelopment, including issues of interest to least-developed countries.Effective implementation of these decisions will provide a huge boostthe global economy by streamlining customs procedures globally,strengthening food security, and ensuring greater integration ofdeveloping countries, and in particular Least Developed Countries(LDCs), into the global trading system.
48 th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting
♚ 166. We looked forward to the 48 th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meetingand Post Ministerial Conferences(48 th AMM/PMC)/16 th ASEAN PlusThree Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (16 th APT FMM)/ 5 th East AsiaSummit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (5 th EAS-FMM) and 22 nd ASEANRegional Forum (22 nd ARF) to be held in Malaysia in 2015./.
