Chairman’s Statement of 4th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers\' Meeting

10 August 2014, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

1. The 4th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers\' Meeting was convened in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 10 August 2014. The Meeting was chaired by His Excellency U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

2. The meeting strongly condemned the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014, which resulted in the tragic loss of 298 innocent civilians. The Ministers expressed their deepest condolences to the families, victims and governments affected and called for the urgent and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2166. Noting that parties controlling the crash site and surrounding areas had facilitated some access to the site, Ministers agreed that more needed to be done to ensure that all remains could be gathered and repatriated in a dignified manner as soon as possible. The Ministers called for a full, swift, thorough and independent investigation into the downing of Flight MH17 and called on all States and parties to cooperate towards this end.

3. The EAS Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the EAS as a Leaders-led forum to discuss broad strategic, political and economic issues of common concern. Recognising that increasingly multifaceted issues present both opportunities and challenges for the region, the Ministers valued the role of the EAS in addressing issues of common concern and maintaining peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia.

4. The Ministers noted that the mandate of the EAS encompassed strategic, political, security and economic matters, allowing it to address broad areas of common concern and strategic importance, while promoting a range of priority areas including finance, environment and energy, education, global health issues and pandemic diseases, disasternmanagement and ASEAN Connectivity, as well as maritime security and cooperation, non-proliferation and other non-traditional security issues.

5. The Ministers underscored the need to further strengthen and consolidate the EAS and facilitate processes and procedures to ensure the effective follow-up and implementation of the Leaders’ decisions. In this regard, the Ministers emphasised the need to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat, including the Unit in charge of the EAS, in order to provide greater efficiency in the coordination of EAS priorities and for more effective implementation of EAS projects and initiatives.

6. The Ministers reaffirmed their support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN community building process. They reiterated the importance of adhering to the principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS as well as the 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East Asia Summit, the 2010 Ha Noi Declaration on Commemoration of the 5th Anniversary of the EAS and the 2011 Declaration of the EAS on the Principles of Mutually Beneficial Relations (Bali Principles) in moving forward the EAS process.

7. With the EAS approaching its 10th anniversary in 2015, the Ministers tasked senior officials to take stock of current achievements and chart the future direction of the EAS with a view to strengthening the EAS process in line with the Kuala Lumpur and the Ha Noi Declarations. This would ensure the EAS continued to serve as the premier Leaders-led forum for discussing pressing political and security issues, and enhance its ability to promote peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia. The Ministers welcomed the ROK’s proposal for a Track II Roundtable on the Future Direction of the EAS, which would be held in December 2014.

8. The Ministers noted Indonesia’s proposal for a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in the wider Indo-Pacific region developed from the spirit of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in the Southeast Asia (TAC) and the 2011 Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations (Bali Principles). In this regard, they welcomed Indonesia’s intention to host the 3rd EAS Workshop to further discuss the Indo-Pacific Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

9. The Ministers adopted the Plan of Action (PoA) to implement the Phnom Penh Declaration on the East Asia Summit Development Initiative, which would be submitted to

the 9th EAS. They shared the view that the Plan of Action would promote mutual support and cooperation to achieve concrete and sustainable results, including narrowing the development gap, in order to benefit regional economic integration, the local economy and the people of the EAS participating countries.

10. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the first Workshop and Dialogue on Regional Security Framework in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 14 to 15 November 2013 and the second EAS Workshop on Security Architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region in Moscow, Russian Federation on 25 April 2014 and looked forward to the third Workshop which would be held in Indonesia. The Ministers noted the proposed Action Plan for elaborating security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region and tasked the senior officials to deliberate further on the proposed Action Plan based on existing various frameworks and strategic policies to further strengthen political-security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Energy

11. The Ministers commended the progress on EAS energy cooperation work streams, namely energy efficiency and conservation, biofuels for transport and other purposes, and energy market integration. The Ministers welcomed the call to establish efficient, transparent, reliable, competitive and flexible energy markets as a means to provide affordable, secure and clean energy supplies for the region. In this regard, the Ministers called on countries to improve their energy mix. The Ministers also welcomed the successful convening of the 19th Meeting of the EAS Energy Cooperation Task Force (19th EAS ECTF), which was held on 12 June 2014, in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.

Environment and climate change

12. The Ministers noted progress in EAS cooperation on urban sustainability, climate change adaptation and the follow up to the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The Ministers welcomed the progress made by China in establishing the East Asia Center for Climate Change Research and International Cooperation. The Ministers further welcomed EAS participating countries initiatives on urban and rural sustainable development. The Ministers welcomed the 4th EAS Environment Ministers’ Meeting to be held on 31 October 2014 in Lao PDR.

Disaster management

13. Recognising the urgent need to strengthen strategies to respond to disasters following Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance disaster management cooperation through regional mechanisms, including through the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme (2010-2015) and ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). In this regard, the Ministers looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN High-Level Conference for the Recovery of Yolanda Affected Areas (ARYA) in Manila on 14 August 2014, as a concrete initiative to further consolidate regional disaster recovery initiatives. The Ministers also welcomed the progress of work to implement the EAS Rapid Disaster Response Action Plan. The Ministers supported a statement on rapid disaster response, to be adopted by the Leaders at 9th EAS, to highlight the need to increase practical cooperation in the region. They agreed that an EAS statement on rapid disaster response should emphasize the need to increase practical cooperation in the region, while also acknowledging the diversity of systems, legislation and practices among the EAS member countries. The Ministers welcomed the Roundtable of 24x7 point of contacts of the National Disaster Response Agencies of EAS participating countries and the inauguration of the Virtual Knowledge Portal (VKP) to be hosted by India from 4 to 5 December 2014. The Ministers noted the EAS Earthquake Response and Relief Joint Exercise by several EAS participating countries.

Education

14. The Ministers welcomed the progress on Nalanda University, particularly the proposed commencement of classes in the Schools of Historical Studies and Ecology and Environment Studies in September 2014. The Ministers commended the progress under the EAS Education Action Plan (2011-2015) which has contributed to improving the quality and mobility of qualifications across the Asia-Pacific region. The Ministers looked forward to the 2nd East Asia Summit Education Ministers’ Meeting (2nd EAS EMM) which would take place on 12 September 2014 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

15. The Ministers appreciated programmes aimed at further enhancing people linkages with a focus on youth in the East Asia region, including the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan and the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme, which are contributing to promote mutual understanding among the future generation of Leaders in ASEAN and other EAS participating countries. The Ministers welcomed the launching of the JENESYS 2.0 Project which would facilitate the exchange programme for 30,000 young people between Japan and the Asian/Oceania region.

Global health and pandemic diseases

16. The Ministers reiterated the Leaders’ commitment to implement the Declaration of the 7th EAS on Regional Responses to Malaria Control and Addressing Resistance to Antimalarial Medicines. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the work to date of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) Task Forces on access to quality medicines and other technologies, and regional financing for malaria and looked forward to receiving the final recommendations of the Task Forces for Leaders’ consideration. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the Roundtable on Trauma Care and Nursing on 11 to 12 December 2014 in New Delhi. The Ministers also expressed concerns over the pandemic Ebola disease and emphasized the need to prevent an outbreak of the Ebola disease and other pandemic diseases.

Finance

17. Recalling the Leaders\' recognition of the important role of the EAS in strengthening economic and financial development in the region, the Ministers welcomed enhanced dialogue and further cooperation between EAS Finance Ministers on issues of mutual interest and global financial issues. They welcomed Myanmar’s convening of an EAS Finance Ministers’ Meeting this year to further develop and consolidate finance as an EAS priority area of cooperation.

 ASEAN Connectivity

18. Recalling the Declaration of the 6th East Asia Summit on ASEAN Connectivity adopted in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2011, the Ministers reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) across all areas, including physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity, in order to further enhance connectivity within the region and beyond. They also acknowledged that better infrastructure was essential to facilitate free flow of goods, services and investments to markets and improving peoples’ access to social and health services across the region. They recognised that connectivity in the region was not in line with the development potential of the region. In this regard, they agreed to explore further cooperation to mobilize resources; develop innovative financing mechanisms, including Public Private Partnerships (PPP); and enhance knowledge sharing and expertise.

19. The Ministers welcomed the launching of the ASEAN Connectivity video clips on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Nay Pyi Taw. They also looked forward to the convening of the 5th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium and meetings with dialogue partners in September 2014 in Myanmar, which would realise the objectives of the proposed EAS Connectivity Forum to implement the 2011 EAS Declaration on Connectivity.

Trade and economic integration

20. The Ministers appreciated efforts to enhance regional economic integration, including through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The Ministers urged all RCEP participating countries to bring the positions needed to the negotiations in order to accelerate progress. They looked forward to the conclusion of the RCEP, in line with the vision endorsed by the Leaders in the ‘Guiding Principles’ for a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial agreement that would support the achievement of the ASEAN Community. The Ministers recognised that RCEP supports and complements the interests of the EAS in contributing to economic integration and strengthening economic cooperation among participating countries.

21. The Ministers reiterated the importance of regulatory coherence in achieving regional economic integration. They noted the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia’s (ERIA) contribution to this aim through its project on regulatory coherence and the regulatory cooperation workshop with APEC and EAS participants to be held alongside APEC’s Economic Committee in August 2014 (both co-sponsored by Malaysia and New Zealand). The Ministers encouraged further work in this important area.

22. The Ministers recognised the role of ERIA in providing intellectual and analytical support to the Chair of the ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit and urged ERIA to continue with this role in coming years. We commended ERIA’s resolve to continue to work for the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), including through the support of RCEP negotiations, institutional and physical connectivity, energy and food security, SME empowerment, and strengthening regulatory management systems and business environments in the region. They also welcomed the statement of ERIA’s 7th Governing Board Meeting issued on 30 May 2014.

Food security

23. The Ministers appreciated the progress of work to further increase the level of food security cooperation within the EAS, including the work to expand regional fisheries management cooperation. In this regard, the Ministers commended the work of the EAS Track II Study Group on Enhancing Food Security through Sustainable Fisheries Management and Marine Environmental Conservation and noted the Report of the EAS Track II Study Group and its five Principal Recommendations. The Ministers tasked relevant officials to further assess recommendations of the EAS Track II Study Group to ensure its submission to the 9th East Asia Summit.

Maritime Security and Cooperation

24. The Ministers recalled the Leaders’ call for increased regional efforts to enhance maritime cooperation. In this regard, Minsters emphasized the need to continuously manage traditional and non-traditional maritime security issues. They reaffirmed the need to address the issue of the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as preserving the marine environment as significant elements in maritime cooperation. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the 3rd Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) back-to-back with the 5th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) in Da Nang, Viet Nam, in August 2014. The Ministers expected that the 3rd EAMF would promote maritime cooperation and confidence building through candid discussions on maritime issues in the region.

Non-traditional Security and Non-proliferation

25. Considering new and emerging threats to regional security, the Ministers agreed to further enhance cooperation on non-traditional security issues.

26. Recalling the EAS participating countries’ commitments under CITES, and the Leaders’ pledge at the 8th EAS to further enhance cooperation in non-traditional securityissues, the Ministers commended the work of Senior Officials on an EAS Declaration on Combating Wildlife Trafficking to be adopted by the Leaders at the 9th EAS.

27. The Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there could be no justification for any acts of terrorism. Recognising that no country can combat terrorism on its own, they agreed that strong international cooperation was necessary. In this regard, the Ministers expressed their commitment to strengthening the United Nations\' central role in coordinating international action against terrorism and encouraged the effective implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and all UN Security Council Resolutions related to combating international terrorism.

28. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue to tackle transnational organised crimes, with full respect for human rights, in order to reduce the negative impact it has on individuals and societies. They encouraged joint efforts aimed at preventing and combating transnational criminal activities in accordance with national legislations and international legal instruments, especially the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. In this regard, they welcomed EAS Member States cooperation, highlighting their engagement in the ECOSOC Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

29. The Ministers expressed concern about the world\'s drug problem, which continued to threaten public health, safety and well-being as well as undermine social, economic and political stability. They expressed their shared commitment to countering the world\'s drug problem, through an integrated, multidisciplinary, mutually reinforcing and balanced strategy, in line with relevant UN Conventions.

30. The Ministers noted that piracy and armed robbery at sea were complex phenomena that must be tackled in a comprehensive and integrated manner. They welcomed the efforts made by the international community to counter maritime piracy and called upon all stakeholders – civilian and military, public and private – to remain engaged in the fight against piracy.

31. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment toward a world free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and supported the inclusion of disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as part of the EAS agenda. They noted the need for enhanced international cooperation to promote disarmament and non-proliferation objectives and the importance of cooperation at the multilateral level.

Regional and International Issues

South China Sea

32. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability and ensuring maritime security and safety, unimpeded trade and freedom of navigation, including overflight in the South China Sea. The Ministers called for peaceful settlements of disputes, without resorting to threats or the use of force, and in accordance with international law, including that reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

33. The Ministers welcomed the commitments of ASEAN Member States and China to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in accordance with its Guidelines. The Ministers noted the progress in the official consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and the work towards the early conclusion of the COC, which would further contribute to enhancing peace, stability and security in the region.

Korean Peninsula

34. The Ministers followed with concern the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and underlined the importance of peace, stability and security in the region. The Ministers registered deep concern over North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches. They highlighted the importance of trust building activities on the Korean Peninsula and the need to fully comply with all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions and commitments under the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. The Ministers called for the creating of necessary conditions for the early resumption of Six-Party Talks, which would pave the way for the complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Reform of the United Nations

35. The Ministers reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive and urgent reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to expanding the Security Council to reflect contemporary geo-political realities and make it more effective, efficient and representative so that it can deal with today’s global challenges more successfully. They noted the importance and timeliness of reforms in the context of the upcoming 70th Anniversary Summit of the United Nations in 2015.

36. The Ministers also discussed the preparations for the 9th EAS to be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 13 November 2014.

37. The Ministers looked forward to the 5th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia in 2015.