17. Third Asia-Europe meeting in Seoul
B5-0768, 0769, 0770, 0773, 0774and 0775/2000
European Parliament resolution on the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 3) in Seoul, 20/21 Octo-
ber 2000
The European Parliament,
bdash having regard to the Commission working document ‘Perspectives and Priorities for the ASEM Process
(Asia Europe Meeting) into the new decade’ (COM(2000) 241 final),
bdash having regard to its resolutions of 4 May 1999 on the Commission working document on Perspec-
tives and Priorities for the ASEM Process(1) (SEC(1997) 1239 bdash C4-0667/1997) and of 12 March
1998 on the ASEM process (Europe-Asia relations)(2),
A. whereas the ASEM process aims at building a comprehensive partnership among equal partners, based
on the promotion of the three pillars of political dialogue, the deepening of economic relations and
the reinforcement of cultural links between peoples,
B. whereas new challenges are facing Asia-Europe relations, in the political and security sector, in rela-
tion to economic, financial and social issues and in the context of cultural and intellectual linksdirectly involving the citizens of the two regions,
C. whereas these new challenges should be discussed within the ASEM process, and in particular at the
Seoul Summit, by updating the cooperation framework established in London in April 1998,
D. whereas the ASEM process is characterised by informality, an emphasis on equal partnership and a
high-level focus, which includes summits at heads of state and government level,
E. whereas the ASEM 3 Summit will be accompanied by the ASEM 2000 People’s Forum bringing
together representatives of social movements, trade unions, NGOs and parliamentarians from Asia
and Europe,
F. whereas it is important that the ASEM process should not overlap with or replace other existing
bilateral and multilateral relationships, such as the ASEAN-EU dialogue, the ASEAN Regional Forum(ARF) and the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC),
G. welcoming and applauding the courage of President Kim Dae Jung and Kim Jong Il in starting the
reconciliation process on the Korean Peninsula,
1. Broadly supports the Commission’s approach, as defined in the document ‘Perspectives and Priorities
for the ASEM Process (Asia Europe Meeting) into the new decade’, in particular its emphasis not only ongeneral priorities, but also on a limited number of specific and key priorities;
2. Considers, with regard to political and security issues, that clear commitments to human rights,
democracy, good governance and the rule of law should be included in key ASEM documents, includingthe concept of a ‘democracy clause’ in agreements with Asian States; considers that the so-called ‘new
security’ issues such as combating international crime and terrorism should also be discussed in the contextof this dialogue, as well as cooperation on analysis, planning and training in relation to conflict preventionand peacekeeping; recalls its earlier resolutions on the need to restore the democratic process in Burma,
and in Indonesia, notably with regard to Timor and the Moluccan Islands; asks ASEM 3 countries to con-
tinue to monitor developments in Burma; furthermore deplores the recent acts of violence against impri-soned human rights campaigner, James Mawdsley, by the Burmese prison authorities;
(1) OJ C 279, 1.10.1999, p. 69.
(2) OJ C 104, 6.4.1998, p. 217.22.6.2001 EN C 178/179 Official Journal of the European Communities
Wednesday 4October 2000
3. Calls upon ASEM to focus on other issues of common interest, including dialogue and cooperation in
such fields as the environment (sustainable use of forests and water use), health welfare, the fight againstAIDS, money laundering and crime against women and children, the abolition of the death penalty and
strengthening efforts to control the arms trade and to stem proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
4. Stresses, with regard to economic issues, that both regions should aim at coordinating efforts for the
launching of comprehensive WTO trade negotiations, with a view to achieving both trade liberalisation
and reinforcement of the WTO’s rules-based system; in this context, a broader social dialogue should beconducted, including subjects such as sustainable development and the protection of the environment, as
well as employment, child labour and social security;
5. Stresses, with regard to financial issues, that consideration should be given to how ASEM 3 countries
might cooperate on reform of the IFIs;
6. Believes that the political, social and cultural dimensions of Europe-Asia relations should play a much
more prominent role, supports the establishment of a Social Forum and welcomes the Commission’s
approach towards strengthening ‘civil society dialogue’ in this context;
7. Recognises the importance, in the cultural and intellectual field, of enhanced dialogue and network-
ing among civil society groups, including local government, social partners and NGOs, and supports theprospect of reaching a political commitment on producing a five-fold increase in student exchanges
between the two regions within ten years; supports the activities conducted by the ASEF (Asia-Europe
Foundation);
8. Urges ASEM 3 to do what it can to aid and assist the process of reconciliation on the Korean Penin-
sula and help both sides of this delicate process;
With regard to interparliamentary dialogue
9. Points out that interparliamentary dialogue is an essential element of any political dialogue, and in
this regard calls for a clear role for the European Parliament and the national parliaments of Asia in the
ASEM process; considers that the ASEP (Asia-Europe parliamentary meetings) process should be resumed;
With regard to ASEM enlargement
10. Considers that practical conclusions on this issue should be reached at Seoul and that the first
priority should be constituted by the major candidates on the Asian side;
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11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, and the govern-
ments and parliaments of the Member States and the ASEM countries.C 178/180 EN 22.6.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities
Wednesday 4October 2000