Top „ Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Of the Fifth Asia-Europe Meeting Hanoi, 8-9 October 2004 -----------------------------------

The fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 5) was held in Hanoi on 8-9 October 2004. The Summit was attended by the Heads of State and Government of thirteen Asian and twenty-five European nations, with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg acting also as the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission. The Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Phan Van Khai chaired this momentous Meeting.
The Leaders, recalling the previous Summits in Bangkok (1996), London (1998), Seoul (2000) and Copenhagen (2002), held comprehensive, in-depth and fruitful discussions on a variety of issues of common interest and concern, under the overarching theme: "Further Revitalising and Substantiating the Asia-Europe Partnership".
The Leaders noted with satisfaction the progress made in the ASEM process on the basis of the principles agreed upon at previous Summits and set out in the Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework (AECF 2000). They noted with appreciation the positive outcomes of Foreign, Economic and Financial Ministers' Meetings, as well as the Meetings of Environment Ministers, Culture Ministers and ASEM High-Level Conference on Agricultural Cooperation since ASEM 4, and endorsed their recommendations.
1.	Deepening Political Dialogue
	1.1.	The Leaders, reviewing the complex and profound changes in the current international situation since ASEM 4, underlined that these changes are of global and multi-dimensional nature, which present both opportunities and challenges for global peace and security, and for sustainable economic development. They agreed, however, that the prevailing trend continues to be of peace, cooperation and development.
	1.2.	The Leaders reaffirmed their determination to address new global challenges and threats such as instability, terrorism, separatism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, trans-national crimes, negative aspects of globalization, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, infectious diseases, environmental degradation and climate change. To this end, they agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the context of ASEM dialogue and cooperation and the Asia-Europe partnership.
	1.3.	The Leaders, acknowledging that these serious challenges of global and multi-faceted nature should be addressed through a multilateral approach and collective actions through intensive dialogue and close cooperation on the basis of mutual understanding, equality and mutual benefit, reaffirmed their strong commitment to multilateralism and to a fair, just and rule-based international order, with the United Nations playing the central role.
	1.4.	The Leaders reiterated their support to the ongoing process of the reform of the United Nations and its principal organs, including the General Assembly and the Security Council, with a view to strengthening and enhancing the representativeness, transparency and effectiveness of the UN system. They underlined that ASEM countries are committed to making utmost efforts to ensure the success of the UNGA High-Level Plenary Meeting in 2005, addressing the implementation of all the commitments of the Millennium Declaration, including the Millennium Development Goals and the follow-up to the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. They also touched upon the International Criminal Court and agreed to continue dialogue on this issue.
	1.5.	The Leaders agreed on the need to reinforce multilateral dialogue and cooperation in ASEM as well as within regional and inter-regional frameworks, to help strengthen the global multilateral system. They underlined the need to ensure enhanced coordination on multilateral issues among ASEM partners, and endorsed recommendations by the Foreign Ministers to review existing ASEM procedure with a view to making proposals to strengthen ASEM coordination where appropriate in the multilateral framework, especially at the United Nations. They also welcomed the "ASEM Declaration on Multilateralism" by the ASEM Foreign Ministers in Kildare, Ireland in April 2004
	1.6.	The Leaders condemned the series of terrorist attacks and expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of those killed in the terrorist attacks, particularly in Indonesia, Russia and Spain. They reaffirmed their strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, which remains a serious threat to international peace and security, sustainable development and political stability. They stressed that the fight against terrorism requires a comprehensive approach, collective efforts, and international cooperation where the United Nations plays the leading role, duly taking into account the root causes of terrorism. They also underlined that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and basic norms of international law, including those of non-interference, respect for territorial integrity and national sovereignty, respect for human rights and the rule of law. They stressed the importance for the international community to ensure conclusion and implementation of all relevant counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions on counter-terrorism including Resolution 1373.
	1.7.	The Leaders, recalling their determination as expressed at ASEM 4, agreed on the need to further strengthen ASEM consultation, cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism through specific initiatives and practical measures and extension of capacity building assistance where needed. They noted with appreciation the results of the ASEM Seminar on anti-terrorism held in Beijing in September 2003, and looked forward to the next seminar to be held in Germany in October 2004. They also welcomed other initiatives on counter-terrorism undertaken recently by ASEM and among ASEM partners, as well as in the regional frameworks of the European Union, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Plus 3 and APEC.
	1.8.	The Leaders, noting the scourge of transnational crimes and their possible linkage with terrorism, agreed to work closely together and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and international law to effectively combat trans-national crimes and other non-traditional threats to international peace and security, such as money laundering, arms trafficking, trafficking in human beings, the production of and trafficking in illicit drugs, and computer crimes.
	1.9.	The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery and their determination to deepen ASEM cooperation in this field. They underlined the need to strengthen multilateral approach and cooperation as well as respective multilateral instruments on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, other WMD and their means of delivery, especially an enhanced role of the United Nations. They agreed that efforts aimed at non-proliferation should be in parallel with efforts towards disarmament, and the enhancement of international cooperation in research and use of technologies for peaceful purposes. They also expressed concern over the illicit trade related to WMD and their means of delivery, and demonstrated their strong resolve not to allow WMD and their means of delivery to fall into the terrorist hands.
	1.10.	The Leaders took note of the results of the UN Bangkok Conference on AIDS and expressed their concern that the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, through its scale and impact, constitutes a global emergency. It provides a formidable challenge to human life and dignity, undermining social and economic development throughout the world and affecting all levels of society. They reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment issued at the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS and agreed that the fight against HIV/AIDS should feature in the framework of ASEM cooperation. .
	1.11.	The Leaders praised the role of the ASEM Environment Ministers in coordinating positions on global environment issues, particularly climate change. They underlined the need to pursue and intensify the coordination on environment issues and look forward to the next Environment Ministerial Meeting. They confirmed their belief that climate change remains one of the most serious environmental challenges facing the planet. They confirmed their support to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and emphasised the important role of its Kyoto Protocol as the only existing global instrument to pursue the ultimate objective of the UN Framework Convention. They welcomed the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation to submit the proposal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the State Duma, and urged countries that have not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol to do so soon. They will work together for the post 2012 framework to develop global action on the basis of an international partnership which enables the participation of all countries based on their common but differentiated responsibilities in order to meet the objectives of the UNFCCC and increase the effectiveness of action in addressing climate change.
	1.12.	The Leaders underlined the need to reinforce ASEM cooperation in the field of international migration through the concrete actions identified by ASEM senior officials in charge of migration, and expressed support for UN efforts to tackle migration issues.
2.	Closer Economic Partnership.
	2.1.	The Leaders welcomed Asia's growing importance in the global economy and the overall economic growth rates of the EU. They encouraged the ASEM partners to continue domestic economic reform in accordance with their respective needs and priorities with a view to ensuring sustained development.
	2.2.	The Leaders reaffirmed their determination to bring forward the Asia-Europe economic partnership to a new stage of comprehensive and forward-looking cooperation, and to this end, adopted the "Hanoi Declaration on Closer ASEM Economic Partnership", which sets out directions and measures for strengthening ASEM economic cooperation. They tasked Ministers to undertake the accelerated implementation of this important Declaration.
	2.3.	The Leaders agreed on the need to intensify and focus ASEM economic activities on enhancing Asia-Europe trade and investment facilitation and promotion; strengthening coordination and cooperation on financial issues, including possible greater cooperation among regional bond markets; expanding cooperation in areas of common interest such as information & communication technology and knowledge-based economy, energy, transport, tourism, intellectual property rights, small and medium enterprises; promoting sustainable economic growth, dialogue on employment, and the reduction of development gap among ASEM partners; enhancing the role and deeper involvement of the business community.
	2.4.	The Leaders expressed the concern over high oil prices that could slow down regions' economic growth. They thus agreed on the need to call on oil producers to provide adequate supplies to ensure moderate prices, and stressed the importance of energy conservation and the increase in energy efficiency in consumer nations.
	2.5.	The Leaders highly appreciated the thoughtful and important recommendations submitted by the ASEM Task Force for an Asia-Europe closer economic partnership, and tasked Economic and Financial Ministers and their Senior Officials to review and follow up with its positive recommendations, including the development of an Asian bond market and the ASEM Virtual Promotion Center for Trade, Investment and Tourism, where practical and feasible, in their future work with a view to achieving concrete outcomes.
	2.6.	The Leaders agreed to promote and strengthen interaction between Government and the business community for closer Asia-Europe economic partnership. They welcomed positive recommendations made by the 9th Asia-Europe Business Forum in this regard, and tasked Economic and Financial Ministers and their Senior Officials to study the applicability of these recommendations and report to ASEM 6.
	2.7.	The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an open and fair multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO), and agreed to further strengthen ASEM collaboration and coordination on WTO-related issues for a successful conclusion of the Doha negotiations. They thus expressed their strong support for early accession of the Lao PDR and Vietnam to the WTO.
	2.8.	The Leaders congratulated WTO members on reaching an agreement on the Framework for the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations in Geneva, and urged WTO members to undertake the remaining work aimed at achieving balanced and sustained progress in the future negotiations.
	2.9.	The Leaders, welcoming all initiatives for economic integration based on non-discriminatory regionalism, underlined the need to ensure that all regional and bilateral agreements of economic integration should be consistent with WTO rules.
3.	Expanding and Strengthening Cooperation in Other Fields.
	3.1.	The Leaders acknowledged that dialogue and cooperation among cultures and civilizations is one of effective measures to enhance understanding and tolerance among people. They underlined the importance of dialogue on cultures and civilizations in preserving world peace, security and cooperation for development, particularly in context of globalization.
	3.2.	The Leaders adopted the "ASEM Declaration on Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations", expressing their shared conviction on this important topic and reaffirming their strong commitment to further promote this dialogue at all levels within ASEM framework on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
	3.3.	The Leaders, noting with satisfaction all ASEM activities in promoting dialogue among cultures and civilizations, supported recommendations adopted by Ministers at the First ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilizations held in Beijing in December 2003, and requested the Second Conference to be held in France in 2005 to develop a long-term plan for ASEM dialogue and cooperation in this important field. They encouraged the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) to make further contribution to this dialogue through undertaking concrete activities and programs. They also welcomed the planned inter-faith dialogue to be held in Indonesia in 2005.
	3.4.	The Leaders underlined their conviction that the cultural diversity is the common heritage of humanity, and agreed on the need to promote unity in diversity and respect for the equal dignity of all cultures and civilizations. They emphasized in particular the need to preserve the national cultural identity, in face of the ongoing rapid advances of information & communication technology and globalization, and rejected the imposition and discrimination of culture values under any form or manifestation. In this respect, they underlined their commitment to pursue dialogue within the UNESCO in the course of ongoing negotiations on a draft convention on cultural diversity.
	3.5.	The Leaders acknowledged the importance and potentials for Asia-Europe cooperation at all levels in various fields such as social development, labor and employment, education and training, public health and environment. They agreed to further expand and strengthen ASEM cooperation in these fields, and tasked Ministers to work out action- and result-oriented programs to this end.
	3.6.	The Leaders appreciated the important work carried out by the ASEF to foster people-to-people, cultural and intellectual exchanges between Asia and Europe. They adopted the recommendations for Organizational and Management Strategies and Long-Term Financial Sustainability of ASEF as annexed to further encourage the Foundation's activities so as to align more closely with ASEM process. They welcomed the launching of the ASEM Infoboard as a pilot project by ASEF. They encouraged new partners to participate in ASEF, and the ASEF Executive Office to make necessary arrangements so that the Board of Governors' meeting in November 2004 in Hanoi would include representatives from new ASEM members.
4.	Recent Regional Developments
	4.1.	The Leaders welcomed the integration process of the European Union, including its latest membership enlargement, which would help promote peace, stability and development in Europe. They also welcomed efforts towards closer cooperation in Asia, especially the ASEAN's determination to build an ASEAN Community by 2020 as specifically reflected in the Bali Concord II, as well as enhanced cooperation under the framework of the ASEAN Plus 3, ACD and trilateral cooperation among China, Japan and the ROK.
	4.2.	The Leaders noted that these latest developments in Asia and Europe would present both opportunities and challenges for ASEM in the process of enhancing dialogue and cooperation. They urged ASEM partners to make every effort to fully exploit all potentials to develop Asia-Europe synergy and effectively deal with the challenges, including possible implications on the promotion of Asia-Europe partnership.
	4.3.	The Leaders expressed their strong support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through a peaceful solution and the Six-Party Talks process, and urged the earliest resumption of the Six-Party Talks. They encouraged the parties to continue to take coordinated steps to address the nuclear issue and address all the related concerns. They also supported the continued dialogue and cooperation between the ROK and the DPRK, which would in turn help promote peace and mutual prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
	4.4.	The Leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and urged both parties to implement their respective obligations under the Road Map with a view to paving the way for the two-state solution.
	4.5.	The Leaders confirmed their support to the Interim Iraqi Government in its effort to ensure security and stability in the country, and their willingness to engage together with the UN and the international community to achieve these goals and to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq. They also look forward to the holding of elections as scheduled for January 2005, and immediately thereafter, the formation of a constitutionally -elected government of Iraq
	4.6.	The Leaders expressed their support for the reconstruction and stabilization of Afghanistan and for the Afghan Transitional Administration. In this regard, they noted with concern the continuing threats posed by terrorist activities and by opium production and trafficking, and recalled the need for comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of all armed factions. They welcomed the Presidential election taking place on 9 October 2004 and expressed their hope that it would bring about peace and security for the country and stabilize the democratization process.
	4.7.	The leaders took note of the briefing on the recent political developments in Myanmar given by the Head of the Myanmar delegation. In this connection, they encouraged all stakeholders in the country to work together to ensure a successful outcome of the ongoing national reconciliation process. The National Convention should be an important element in the national reconciliation and democratization process and a forum for a genuine open debate with the participation of all political groups in the country. They looked forward to the early lifting of restrictions placed on political parties in accordance with the assurances given by Myanmar. They also reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General.
5.	Taking the ASEM Process Forward
	5.1.	The Leaders, noting with satisfaction the dynamic development and significant achievements of the ASEM process since its inception, underlined the need for ASEM to provide a foundation and framework for fostering the Asia-Europe comprehensive partnership in the 21st century. To this end, they agreed to further revitalise and substantiate the ASEM process, moving towards enhanced cooperation with specific goals and resulted-oriented programs/projects. They tasked the SOM to elaborate on areas of substantive cooperation for consideration at the next Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kyoto, 2005.
	5.2.	The Leaders agreed that the development of ASEM which remains an open, evolutionary and informal process should continue to be based on the objectives and key principles as set out in the Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework (AECF 2000) adopted by ASEM 3. They reiterated the importance of full participation at the highest level by all Leaders and the need to carry forward in a balanced manner the three key pillars by strengthening political dialogue, reinforcing economic cooperation and promoting cooperation in other areas.
	5.3.	The Leaders also agreed on the need to continue the improvement of the ASEM coordination and management mechanism as commensurate with the nature and development level of ASEM. To this end, they endorsed Foreign Minister's "Recommendations on ASEM Working Methods" as annexed, which shall constitute an integral part of the AECF2000.
6.	ASEM Enlargement
	6.1.	The Leaders warmly welcomed the admission into ASEM of 13 countries, namely the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Hungary, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Malta, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Poland, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia.
	6.2.	The Leaders, commending the enlargement as an important milestone in the evolution of the ASEM process, underlined that the participation of the 13 new members would provide greater dynamism to the ASEM process, help enhance and expand Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation. They stressed the need to assist and facilitate the active engagement of the new members into the ASEM process, with a view to strengthening the unity in diversity within ASEM.
	6.3.	The Leaders, emphasizing the need to consolidate the ASEM process after the enlargement, agreed to consider future enlargement, taking into account the continued EU enlargement and important role of other candidates. They tasked Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials to study and submit their recommendations on the continued improvement of ASEM institutional mechanism, including the possibility of moving towards an ASEM Secretariat at an appropriate time, and the issue of future membership enlargement, based on their ideas expressed at ASEM 5.
7.	The Leaders adopted a list of new initiatives to promote cooperation on various fields as annexed. They also adopted the ASEM Work Programme for 2004-2006 as annexed.
8.	The Leaders accepted with gratitude Finland's offer to host ASEM6 and looked forward to meeting again on 14-15 September 2006.
Hanoi, Vietnam 9 October 2004

Organizational and management strategy

1.	Align ASEF more closely to the ASEM process through providing information and analysis of the ASEM process to a key audience through suitable intellectual exchange, people-to-people, cultural exchange and public relations/information projects. In particular, in the run-up to the biennial ASEM Summits, ASEF should place more emphasis on implementing major projects to highlight the importance and implications of the ASEM process.
2.	The relations between ASEF Governors and ASEM SOM leaders should be strengthened by the following arrangements.
	(1)	A meeting between the Board of Governors (BOG) Chairman, the ASEF Executive Director (ED) and the ASEM Coordinators or SOM leaders should be arranged as and when the SOM leaders deem it necessary. ASEF may request such a meeting for consideration by the SOM leaders.
	(2)	The ED shall be invited, to attend a SOM and submit budgetary reports and brief on its activities. The decision to invite the ED shall be made at the Coordinators' Meeting preceding the SOM in which the ED is expected to submit budgetary reports and brief on its activities.
	(3)	The ASEM SOM leader of the host country of a BOG meeting, or his/her representative, should be invited to attend the meeting as an observer.
3.	The Dublin Principles and the logical framework for ASEF were reviewed and it was found that it should give greater priority to implementation of projects assigned by ASEM Leaders or ASEM Ministerial Meetings, with a view to making ASEF even more effective to further substantiating the co-operation between Asia and Europe.
4.	The ASEF's Executive Office and the Governors should be reminded that ASEF has accountability to the contributing countries for explaining a policy of its activities.

Long Term Financial Sustainability

1.	The ASEM partners reaffirmed that contribution to ASEF must be continued voluntarily. The partners duly take note of the call by the ASEF Executive Director for the continuous and more active contributions in order to sustain ASEF activities and the recommended formula for contribution in the "ASEF Sustainability (ASEF Board of Governors, Berlin, May 2003)."
2.	Annual budget should not be considered as fixed at a certain amount. The budget should be continuously and critically reviewed to achieve cost-effectiveness by implementing applicable recommendations made in the Van der Geest-Macaranas Report.
3.	To ensure cost-effectiveness across programmes and projects, a professional senior manager to act as the Foundation's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) should be introduced as a staff member. Such a staff member can be made available by an ASEM partner.
4.	While acknowledging an important role of BOG meetings to publicize ASEF activities in various countries, it is important to hold the meetings cost-efficiently. Hence, it is encouraged to limit the representatives from the ASEF Executive Office only to the ED, Deputy ED and the CFO when a BOG meeting is held outside of Singapore.

ANNEX 1 Attachment A of ANNEX 1 Dublin Agreed Principles of the Asia Europe Foundation

Purpose, Areas of Interest and Functions
1.	The Purpose of the Foundation is to promote better mutual understanding between Asia and Europe through greater intellectual, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, in line with the vision for Asia-Europe cooperation as laid down by the ASEM leaders at their meeting in Bangkok from 1-2 March 1996 as well as at their subsequent meetings.
2.	In pursuit of this purpose, the Foundation should seek to add value by:
	(a)	organizing projects closely linked with ASEM activities in collaboration with relevant Asian and European institutions of the ASEM countries;
	(b)	implementing any project assigned by future meetings of ASEM leaders or Ministers and the relevant member of the European Commission.
	(c)	acting as a clearing house, catalyst and facilitator;
	(d)	organizing a few flagship projects of its own;
	(e)	conducting public relations activities to profile ASEM, and publicize ASEM meetings, seminars and other activities; and
	(f)	giving grants.
3.	The Foundation should avoid duplicating existing and future bilateral and multilateral exchanges between Asia and Europe in the three core areas of its work, as stated in paragraph 1 above, and should seek where possible to build on and promote further development in the activities of existing networks working in these areas.
Participation
4.	Participation in the Foundation shall be open to ASEM partners having taken part in the first ASEM in Bangkok in March 1996, as well as to any new partner joining the ASEM process.
5.	Intellectual, cultural and other relevant institutions and non-governmental organizations of the ASEM partners, working in the three core areas of the Foundation's mandate, will be eligible to apply to the Foundation for assistance.
Funding for the Foundation
6.	The Foundation will establish an operating fund and an endowment fund.
7.	The Foundation shall be entitled to solicit and accept contributions for either of these funds from member governments and their institutions, as well as from private corporations, foundations or individuals.
8.	Fair and balanced contributions of all partners, which are important for the long-term financial sustainability of the Foundation, should be made on a voluntary basis by the governments of ASEM partners and the European Commission.
9.	Any moneys received in the operating fund in excess of the annual budget of the Foundation shall be transferred to the endowment fund, which shall also receive any contributions specifically earmarked for this purpose.
Legal Capacity
10.	The Foundation shall be incorporated under Singapore's domestic law as a not-for-profit corporation with tax exempt status. It will have the legal capacity to contract, acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property, and be party to legal proceedings.
Governance
11.	The Foundation will be governed by a Board of Governors. Each participant will designate one Governor for a period of three years. The Board will meet at least once a year and more often, if necessary. The Board will, at its first meeting, formally adopt a statement of the Foundation's purposes, objectives and procedures. The Board will likewise draw up its own rules of procedure. It may appoint an Advisory Committee and any other committee as may, in its view, be necessary for the performance of the Foundation's functions.
12.	The Board of Governors shall elect its own Chairman and Deputy Chairman for a period of one year. If the Chairman is an European, the Deputy Chairman shall be an Asian, and vice versa. The first Chairman and Deputy Chairman shall be elected by the Board at its first meeting, on the basis of nominations made at the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 15 February 1997.
13.	The Board of Governors will be responsible for determining the Foundation's policies, programmes and priorities. The Board of Governors shall also be responsible for ensuring the efficient use of the Foundation's resources, for the approval of the Foundation's annual report, its proposed budget and workplan for the coming year. In the exercise of their responsibilities, members of the Board will have regard to the interest of the ASEM as a whole.
14.	The Executive Director shall have meetings with the ASEM SOM leaders for consultation when necessary in order to ensure that the ASEF annual work programme is coherent with the ASEM official work programme. The Foundation shall also submit financial reports and other documents directly to the ASEM partner governments.
Staffing
15.	The staff of the Foundation shall be headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director will be a citizen of an ASEM country. He shall be appointed by the Board of Governors for a term of four years. The Executive Director will be responsible to the Board for the administration of the Foundation and the implementation of its policies and programmes. The Foundation will be represented by the Executive Director.
16.	The Executive Director will be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director who will be a citizen of an ASEM country, appointed by the Board for a term of four years.
17.	If the Executive Director is an Asian, the Deputy Executive Director will be an European, and vice versa.
18.	The Executive Director will recruit such professional, secretariat and other staff essential for carrying out the policies and programmes of the Foundation. The Executive Director will also seek the secondment of such staff where appropriate, including a Chief Financial Officer to ensure cost-effectiveness across programmes and projects, reporting and auditing in accordance with international standards.
Accounts
19.	The accounts of the Foundation shall be maintained according to normal principles of good practice, and shall be audited by an external auditor appointed by the Board whose reports shall be submitted to the Board.
19 December 1996 Amended on 6 October 2004, Hanoi

ANNEX 2 Informal non-paper for ASEM Coordinators' discussion in Hanoi 10th March 2004. (This document is a development of ideas discussed at the ASEM SOM in Rome 13-14/11/2003 and the ASEM Coordinators Meeting in Dublin 16th January 2004, incorporating the written comments received from Japan dated 4th February 2004.) RECOMMENDATIONS ecommendations FOR for ASEM WORKING working METHODS methods - Draft Proposals for FMM 6

Following the mandate from the Chair Statement from FMM5, the ASEM SOM in Rome 13-14 November 2003 agreed that more substance, efficiency and vitality should be reintroduced into the ASEM process and had a broadly convergent and constructive exchange of views on how to enable this.
SOM mandated the Coordinators to work constructively together to produce for FMM 6 a detailed set of practical proposals for improving ASEM working methods.
Taking into account the ASEM SOM discussions in Rome 13-14 November 2003, and in Kildare 16 April 2004, the following recommendations are made for the Foreign Ministers' approvalthe Commission's services provided draft recommendations for discussion by the ASEM Coordinators in Dublin on 16 January 2004 who mandated Japan and the Commission to produce a joint working paper for the next Coordinators Meeting in Hanoi 10 March 2004. Japan's written comments dated 4 February 2004 are included in the joint paper below.
1.	FMM
Foreign Ministers' meeting is to be convened every second year (i.e. between the Summit years) would provide fewer opportunities for dialogue, but this could lead to possible which should improved participation of foreign ministers and provide better articulation with Summits. It is proposed to apply this approach from 2006. This could be complemented by aAd hoc FM meetings could anyway still which take place in ASEM Summit years if deemed by consensus to be necessary.
Best efforts should be made to realize full participation by Foreign Ministers, given open dialogue nature of ASEM.
To facilitate ministerial travel schedules and participation levels, all possibilities to arrange for ASEM FMM should be investigated, including in relation to to occur back-to-back with other major EU-Asian meetings should be investigated.
including the possibility of ASEM FMM in the margins of the UNGA, if feasible, or, for example, back-to-back with EU-ASEAN ministerials.
(China: Replace the above sentence as follows; In general, full participation by Foreign Ministers was deemed necessary given the open dialogue nature of ASEM.)
In general a preference for full participation by Foreign Ministers was deemed ideal given the open dialogue nature of ASEM.
The benefits of an informal, retreat, open dialogue FMM meeting style are agreed. Officials are to further encourage this style for future FMM.
General agreement was reached that FMM agendas should be focused on major strategic issues within one overarching theme of mutual interest, including the one chosen [jp: chosen by leaders at the preceding Summit Meetings,] such as the multilateral approach to major international challenges. (This would be encouraged by reinforced ASEM coordination in the margins of UN meetings.)
2.	SOMs
The role of the SOMs should be strengthened.
SOMs should be held at least twice a year.
SOMsS should be a place for substantial policy discussion as well as for preparation of FMMs and Summits.
[jp: It should be clearly stated in a revised AECF 2000 that regional SOMscoordination should take place be held immediately before the plenary SOM.]
SOMs should be empowered to approve and/or filter individual initiatives. If SOMs agree an initiative its implementation can begin even before being formally endorsed by the ASEM Leaders/Ministers.
SOMs should better monitor the follow-up of initiatives in all three pillars.
3.	Coordinators
The duties and responsibilities of the Coordinators should be further specified so that their role could be strengthened as follows:
The role of the Coordinators should be strengthened as follows:
- "As is already the practice, the Coordinators can it was agreed to hold ad hoc meetings of Coordinators as and when needed.
- The Coordinators' role in follow-up and reporting on initiatives should be strengthened. Information sharing would be enhanced by using the ASEM Contact Points and other methods of communication.
(China: Revise the first two sentences of the 3rd paragraph as follows;
The duties and responsibilities of the Coordinators should be further specified. Their role could be strengthened as follows:
Coordinators may hold Ad hoc meetings as and when needed on the basis of consensus after full consultations with all members. )
4.	Management issues
D>With regard to the coordination within each respective region, t[ec: The ASEM Infoboard can be set up as a pilot project using ASEF resources. (See Concept Paper on ASEM Infoboard.) This ASEM Infoboard will be controlled by the Coordinators on each side. (The European side will use the existing EU mechanisms, whilehowever, the Asian partners may wish to investigatemake specific arrangementproposals for Asian measures in this regard.)]
[ec: It was also agreed that tThe visibility of ASEM should be increased. The generalised use of the ASEM Logo would assist somewhat in this regard.
Building upon the ASEM Infoboard an ASEM website (to be managed by the Coordinators) should be envisaged.]
[jp: The ASEM Infoboard shouldcan be set up as a pilot project under ASEF.]
5.	Handling of ASEM initiatives
As long as an initiative is compatible with AECF 2000, and as long as the initiative has been endorsed at ASEM SOM by consensus, the initiative can be implemented even before the formal approval by ASEM Leaders/ Foreign Ministers.
Individual initiatives should be more substantial. To this end, the host country should may collect the public comments on its initiative from other members through the ASEM Infoboard. The [ec: open (among ASEM Contact Points)] [jp: public] comments may be examined and adopted in some case, or those who send the public comments will receive explanation from the host country, if needed. SOM should monitor and assess ASEM initiatives in all three pillars by using for example a template model for evaluation for the purpose of technical reference along the lines of attached annex. (Note: see annex)
Publicity for endorsed initiatives should be strengthened through ASEM Infoboard, i.e. publicizing the initiative on the ASEM website before its implementation. Information of initiatives held in the past should be gathered, organized and compiled so that it can be widely shared. This process should be carried out by the ASEM Infoboard. (Note: For the ASEM Infoboard see Concept Paper on ASEM Infoboard.)
SOM should monitor and assess ASEM initiatives in all three pillars using a template model for evaluation criteria.
It is encouraged that as much information as possible about each initiative, including both pre-event explanation and post-event assessment of results, will be shared among ASEM partners through the ASEM Infoboard.
The ASEM logo (endorsed at FMM 5) should be widely used at individual ASEM initiatives in accordance with its guidelines.

Template for the evaluation of initiatives
1.	Did the initiatives succeed in carrying out the intended concept (e.g. objectives) as it was endorsed?
2.	Did the initiative have the participation of a large number of ASEM partners?
3.	What are the benefits of the initiative for the ASEM partners?
4.	What is the contribution of the initiative to the future ASEM process?
5.	Is it necessary to continue this initiative?
* As for the question 1, 3 and 4 each ASEM partners should give a numerical evaluation (on the scale of 1 to 10) as well as specific written answer to each question. The average point for each question can be calculated and informed to ASEM partners.
For the question 2, the number of ASEM partners who participated can be mentioned.
The answer to question 5 will be taken into consideration when considering the need to follow-up an initiative.

ANNEX 3
LIST OF NEW INITIATIVES
A.	New initiatives adopted by Leaders:
1.	ASEM Cooperation in the Applications of ICT in Human Resource Development and Capacity Building (Vietnam, Sweden, Korea, Brunei, Japan and Ireland);
2.	ASEM Workshop on EU/ASIA S&T Cooperation on Clean Technology (EC and Vietnam);
3.	ASEM Cooperation on HIV/AIDS Control (Sweden, Vietnam, the Netherlands and the Philippines);
4.	ASEM Trade and Investment Exposition (China, Austria and Germany and Thailand)
5.	Concept Paper on Asia-Europe Young Political Leaders Summit (China and Demark);
6.	Initiative for Strengthening Cyber Security within the ASEM Region (Korea, Singapore, Portugal, Germany, Poland, the Philippines and China);
7.	ASEM DUO Fellowship Programme Phase II (Korea, Singapore, France, Denmark);
8.	ASEM Initiative: Inter-faith Dialogue (Indonesia, UK and EC);
9.	ASEM Education and Research Hub for Life Long Learning (Denmark, Sweden and Thailand).
B.	New initiatives taken note by Leaders:
1.	The ASEM Oceans Initiative (the Philippines and Portugal);
2.	ASEM Seminar on Health Quarantine Cooperation to Prevent and Control Communicable Diseases (Vietnam).

ANNEX 4 ASEM WORK PROGRAMME 2004-2006

Activities	Dates	Venue
ASEM CM	16 January	Dublin, Ireland
1st ASEM Bali Initiative Workshop on Deposit Insurance System and Valuation	19-23 January	Jakarta, Indonesia
ASEM Seminar on the Protection and Enforcement of well-known Marks	11-13 February	Singapore
ASEM Deputy Finance Ministers' Meeting	1-2 March	Cork
Asian ASEM SOM	2-3 March	Hanoi, Vietnam
ASEM Economic CM	5 March	Malahide, Ireland
ASEM CM	10 March	Hanoi, Vietnam
4th Task Force Meeting	11-12 March	Bangkok, Thailand
3rd Meeting of Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership	25-26 March	Hue, Vietnam
ASEM FMM6 Preparatory SOM	16 April	Kildare, Ireland
FMM 6	17-18 April	Kildare, Ireland
ASEM Informal Seminar on the Future of Employment in ASEM	21-23 April	Hanoi, Vietnam
ASEM Core Group Meeting	24 April 2004	Washington, U.S.A.
TFAP Standards and Conformity Assessment Working Group	29-30 April	Brussels, Belgium
5th Task Force Meeting	17 May	Barcelona, Spain
ASEM PPP (Public Private Partnership) Seminar	20 May	Tokyo, Japan
Expert Group TEIN (Trans-Eurasia Information Network)	20-21 May	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
15th Meeting of ASEF BOG	27-28 May	Dublin, Ireland
3rd ASEM Youth Dialogue	28 June -2 July	Hanoi, Vietnam
ASEM Seminar on Future of Employment and Labour	1-2 June	Berlin, Germany
ASEM Symposium on "Iron Silk Road"	17-18 June	Seoul, Korea
Asia-Europe Seminar on Cultural Policy	24-27 June	Bangkok, Thailand
ASEM CM	9 July	Tokyo, Japan
2nd ASEM Bali Initiative Workshop on Deposit Insurance System and Valuation	14-16 July	Jakarta, Indonesia
ASEM SOM	6-7 September	Hanoi, Vietnam
6th ASEM Informal Seminar on Human Rights	16-17 September	Suzhou, China
ASEM DGs Migration Annual Meeting	25-26 November	The Hague, Netherlands
9th Asia-Europe Business Forum	7-8 October	Hanoi, Vietnam
Preparatory Meetings for ASEM 5	6-7 October	Hanoi, Vietnam
ASEM 5 Summit	8-9 October	Hanoi, Vietnam
ASEM Conference on Anti-Terrorism	18-20 October	Berlin, Germany
ASEM Workshop on EU/Asia S&T Cooperation on Clean Technology	3-4 November	Hanoi, Vietnam
4th ASEM Conference on E-commerce "eSolutions for a Global Economy"	22-23 November	London, UK
16th Meeting of ASEF BOG	25-26 November	Hanoi, Vietnam
ASEM Workshop on Urban Forestry	29 November-3 December	Suzhou and Beijing, China
8th ASEM Young Leaders' Symposium	30 November - 3 December	Netherlands

2005

Preparatory Meeting for 2nd ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilizations	January	Malaysia
Standards and Conformity Assessment Conference	Early 2005	Japan
4th ASEM Conference on E-Commerce "eSolutions for a Global Economy"	February	London, UK
ASEM Education and Research Hub for Life Long Learning	First Quarter 2005	Denmark
FMM 7	6-7 May	Kyoto, Japan
ASEM Young Political Leaders Forum	May	China
ASEM Youth Games	2-8 June	Bangkok, Thailand
2nd ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilizations	6-11 June	France
ASEM Symposium on HIV/AIDS Control	First half 2005	Vietnam
ASEM Trade and Investment Exposition	Second half 2005	China
Inter-Faith Dialogue	Second half 2005	Bali, Indonesia
Preparatory Meeting for ASEM High-level Conference on the Applications of ICT in Human Resource Development and Capacity Building	2005	Tbc
3rd ASEM Environment Ministers' Meeting Asia	(tbc)	Asia (tbc)
TFAP Seminars	Ongoing after Oct. 2004	Various to be arranged
IPAP Seminars	Ongoing after Oct. 2004	Various to be arranged
Customs Cooperation	Ongoing after Oct. 2004	Various to be arranged
Follow-up Workshop on E-commerce	2005/2006	France
FnMM 6	Tbc	tbc
EMM 6	Tbc	tbc

2006

ASEM 6 Summit	14-15 September	Finland
ASEM High-Level Conference on the Applications of ICT in Human Resource Development and Capacity Building	Tbc	Vietnam

ANNEX 5
ASEM ACTIVITIES SINCE ASEM 4
1.	Political Activities
	1.1.	ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM)
		-	FMM 5 (Bali, 23-24 July 2003)
		-	FMM 6 (Kildare, 17-18 April 2004)
	1.2.	Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM)
		-	ASEM SOM (Jakarta, 12-13 May 2003)
		-	ASEM Preparatory SOM (Bali, 21-22 July 2003)
		-	Informal ASEM SOM (Rome, 13-14 November 2003)
		-	ASEM FMM6 Preparatory SOM (Kildare, 16 April 2004)
		-	ASEM SOM (Hanoi, 6-7 September 2004)
		-	ASEM 5 Preparatory SOM (6 October 2004)
	1.3.	Coordinators' Meeting (CM)
		-	CM (Brussels, 28-29 January 2003)
		-	CM (Tokyo, 7-8 July 2003)
		-	CM (Dublin, 16 January 2004)
		-	CM (Hanoi, 10 March 2004)
		-	CM (Tokyo, 9 July 2004)
	1.4.	Others
		-	ASEM Seminar on Anti-Terrorism (Beijing, 22-23 September 2003)
2.	Economic Activities
	2.1.	ASEM Economic Ministers' Meetings (EMM)
		-	EMM 5 (Dalian, 23-24 July 2003)
	2.2.	ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting on Trade and Investment
		-	9th ASEM SOMTI (Paris, 5-6 June 2003)
	2.3.	ASEM Economic Coordinators' Meeting (ECM)
		-	ASEM ECM (Tokyo, 25 February 2003)
		-	ASEM ECM (Brussels, 14 April 2003)
		-	ASEM ECM (Malahide, 5 March 2004)
	2.4.	Meetings of Taskforce for Closer Economic Partnership
		-	1st Meeting of Taskforce (Madrid, 6 May 2003)
		-	2nd Meeting of Taskforce (Tokyo, 8-9 September 2003)
		-	3rd Meeting of Taskforce (Frankfurt, 22 November 2003)
		-	4th Meeting of Taskforce (Bangkok, 11-12 March 2004)
		-	5th Meeting of Taskforce (Barcelona, 17 May 2004)
	2.5.	Others
		-	ASEM TFAP 2nd e-commerce Seminar (Helsinki, 23-24 September 2002)
		-	ASEM TFAP SCA (Brussels, 10-12 December 2002)
		-	8th ASEM Meeting on Standards and Conformity Assessment (Brussels, 10-12 December 2002)
		-	1st ASEM Consultation on WTO Doha Development Agenda (Hanoi, 17-18 January 2003)
		-	ASEM Symposium on Multilateral and Regional Economic Relations (Tokyo, 24-25 March 2003)
		-	2nd ASEM Consultation on WTO Doha Development Agenda (Paris, 5 June 2003)
		-	8th Asia-Europe Business Forum (Seoul, 27-29 October 2003)
		-	TFAP Standards and Conformity Assessment Working Group (Brussels, 29-30 April 2004)
		-	9th Asia-Europe Business Forum (Hanoi, 7-8 October 2004)
		-	ASEM Seminar on Future of Employment and Labour (Berlin, 1-2 June 2004)
		-	ASEM Symposium on "Iron Silk Road" (Seoul, 17-18 June 2004)
3.	Financial Activities
	3.1.	ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting (FnMM)
		-	FnMM 5 (Bali, 5-6 July 2003)
	3.2.	ASEM Deputy Finance Ministers' Meeting
		-	ASEM Deputy Finance Ministers' Meeting (Bali, 7-8 June 2003)
		-	ASEM Deputy Finance Ministers' Meeting (Cork, 1-2 March 2004)
	3.3.	ASEM Core Group Meeting (Washington D.C 24 April 2004)
	3.4.	Others
		-	1st Customs Enforcement Seminar (Penang, 10 March 2003)
		-	7th ASEM Customs Enforcement Working Group Meeting (Penang, 11-13 March 2003)
		-	ASEM Customs Directors General and Commissioners Meeting (Seoul, 30 September-1 October 2003)
		-	ASEM Symposium on Combating Underground Banking and the Need of Supervising Alternative Remittance Service in European and Asian Countries (Berlin, 30-31 October 2003)
		-	3rd ASEM Seminar of Simplification and Harmonization on Customs Procedures (Jakarta, 8-9December 2003)
		-	7th ASEM Customs and Procedures Working Group Meeting (Jakarta, 10-11 December 2003)
		-	1st Steering Committee Meeting of ASEM Anti-Money Laundering Initiative (Bangkok, 12 September 2003)
		-	1st ASEM Bali Initiative Workshop on Deposit Insurance System and Valuation (Jakarta, 19-23 January 2004)
		-	2nd ASEM Bali Initiative Workshop on Deposit Insurance System and Valuation (Jakarta, 14-16 July 2004)
4.	Cooperation on other clusters
	4.1.	Cultural Cluster
		-	ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilization (Beijing, 3-4 December 2003)
		-	The Asia - Europe Seminar on Cultural Policy (Bangkok, 24-27 June 2004)
	4.2.	Educational Cluster
		-	2nd Expert Meeting for ASEM DUO Fellowship Programme (Seoul, 14 November 2003)
		-	2nd Meeting on the ASEM Education Hubs (Singapore, 2-5 November 2003)
		-	ASEM Symposium on Educational Exchange (Tsukuba, Japan 17-18 November 2003)
	4.3.	Environmental Cluster
		-	AEETC PPGG Meeting (Hunan, 23-24 October 2002)
		-	2nd ASEM Environment Ministers' Meeting (Lecce, 12-13 October 2003)
	4.4.	Global Issues
		-	ASEM Seminar on Promoting Gender Equality to Combat Trafficking in Women and Children (Bangkok, 7-9 October 2002)
		-	1st ASEM Meeting for Directors on Management of Migratory flows between Europe and Asia (Copenhagen, 10-12 December 2002)
		-	ASEM Child Welfare - Experts' Meeting on the Judicial Protection of Children (Manila, 3-5 March 2003)
		-	ASEM Seminar on Enhancing Support and Cooperation for Strengthening Social Policies to Assist Trafficked Woman and Children (Bangkok, 1-3 September 2003)
		-	2nd ASEM Meeting for Directors on Management of Migratory Flows between Europe and Asia (Beijing, 12-14 November 2003)
	4.5.	Technological Cluster
		-	Globalization and ICT- The Role of Government, Private Sector and Civil Society in an Information Society for all (Malmo, 10-12 March 2003)
		-	Expert Group TEIN (Trans-Eurasia Information Network) (Kualar Lumpur, 20-21 May 2004)
	4.6.	Agricultural Cluster
		-	Preparatory Meeting for ASEM High Level Conference on Agricultural Cooperation (Dalian, 22-23 September 2003)
		-	ASEM High Level Conference on Agricultural Cooperation (Beijing, 12 November 2003)
	4.7.	Public Health Cluster
		-	ASEM Seminar on the Management of Public Health Emergency (Beijing, 23-24 October 2003)
	4.8.	Human Rights Cluster
		-	ASEM Human Rights and Economic Relations Workshop 2 (Bangkok, 22-23 February 2003)
		-	5th ASEM Human Rights Informal Seminar (Lund, 16-17 May 2003)
		-	6th ASEM Human Rights Informal Seminar (Suzhou, 16-17 September 2004)
5.	ASEF
	5.1.	Meeting of Board of Governors (BOGs)
		-	12th meeting of BOGs (Kuala Lumpur, 31 October-1 November 2002)
		-	13th meeting of BOGs (Berlin, 8-9 May 2003)
		-	14th meeting of BOGs (Singapore, 6-7 November 2003)
		-	15th meeting of BOGs (Dublin, 27-28 May 2004)
	5.2.	7th Asia-Europe Young Leader's Symposium (Ho Chi Minh City, 24-29 August 2003).
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