Creating a new dynamic in EU-ASEAN relations

In adopting the report by Mr HINDLEY (PSE, UK) on creating a new dynamic in EU-ASEAN relations, Parliament highlighted the need for permanent political dialogue between the EU and ASEAN within an appropriate framework which should also include parliamentary cooperation. It hoped, in particular, for a comprehensive debate on the implications of the expansion of ASEAN and supported the advancement of cooperation between the parties. Parliament recalled the aims of ASEAN (economic cooperation between the ASEAN countries, promotion of peace, stability and mutual prosperity and enhanced policy cooperation) and was glad that there was increased cooperation between the Union and ASEAN. It underlined the fact that this cooperation should cover the movement of goods and services, investment and intellectual property, industrial cooperation, services and technology and human resources. It welcomed the launch of the Junior EU-ASEAN Managers Exchange Programme in November 1996 and also underlined the importance of the development of SMUs and tourism. However, it drew attention to the detrimental effects of tourism in the region and called for the introduction of an effective system to combat the sexual exploitation of children and the proliferation of drugs. To this end, Parliament requested that the bilateral agreements be concluded with each of the ASEAN countries concerning Drug Precursors control. In addition, Parliament highlighted the importance of respect for human rights in EU-ASEAN relations and, in particular, the adherence to this respect for human rights in the bilateral relations between the EU and ASEAN. It asked Portugal to waive its opposition to the granting of a mandate to the Commission to negotiate the new Cooperation Agreement with ASEAN: its human rights clause would then constitute a legal basis for the protection of human rights in East Timor. It also pointed out that the ASEAN countries had to respect UN agreements, conventions and resolutions on the principles of self-determination, freedom and human rights. It asked the ASEAN countries which had not already done so to sign up to the international protocols on human rights and the abolition of torture. It also asked that these countries abolish the death penalty. Finally, Parliament called on each of the ASEAN countries to comply fully with the common criteria agreed on in 1991 regulating the exportation of arms to South-East Asia. It asked ASEAN to respect, in particular, the provisions of the embargo on the delivery of arms from to Myanmar Union and to consider ending such deliveries to Indonesia. As regards the anticipated enlargement of ASEAN, it also called for separate negotiating mandates for Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar with respect to their adhesion to the EU-ASEAN agreement. It called on the United Kingdom and France to renounce their efforts to become participants in the ASEAN Regional Forum separately from the EU. �