BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 30 Kyodo ...

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 30 Kyodo

The following is the gist of a joint communique issued Tuesday by way of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The ASEAN foreign ministers:

-- stated their commitment to strengthening bilateral, regional and international cooperation to reckoner terrorism in a comprehensive manner and to make Southeast Asia a safe place for all.

-- stated the priority of further enhancement of integration especially in ensuring the might and competitiveness of their economies.

-- welcomed the projection of ASEAN's economic putting out of 3.5-4% this year.

-- pledg to work together to implement the decision of their leaders and the Chinese premier at the last summit to formalize the Framework Agreement onward ASEAN-China Economic Cooperation, including the establishment of the ASEAN-China unrestrained Trade Area within 10 years.

-- affirmed that the adoption of a digest of conduct in the southern China Sea would further aid peace and stability in the region and agreed to work toward a Declaration in succession the Conduct of Parties in the southerly China Sea.

-- welcomed East Timor as a of recent origin member of the international community.

-- welcomed the readiness of North Korea and southerly Korea to resume dialogue, called for further promotion of the peace proces in succession the Korean Peninsula and emphasized the importance of holding the other inter-Korean summit.

-- called upon India and Pakistan to recommence immediate dialogue, strengthen their cooperation and explain their differences through peaceful means to restore and maintain peace and stability.

-- uttered concern over the latest unfoldings in the Middle East and proscribeed the recent Israeli air attack in Gaza resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians.

-- welcomed the election of the recently made known government in Afghanistan.

-- welcomed the signing of the Treaty forward Strategic Offensive Reductions between Russia and the United States.

-- endorsed Singapore's nomination of Ong Keng Yong to succe Rodolfo Severino as the nearest secretary general of ASEAN.

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