JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE FIFTH.MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC COUNCIL, WELLINGTON, JUNE 17-19, 1970.

^{Reference: This Joint Communique is also published in IX DFA TS No. 1, p. 96.}

1. At the invitation of the Government of New Zealand, the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Asian and Pacific Council, comprising Australia, the Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Vietnam met in Wellington, New Zealand, from June 17 to 19, 1970. An observer from the Kingdom of Laos attended all sessions of the Meeting.

2. In his opening address the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Rt. Hon. Sir Keith Holyoake, extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegates. He suggested that the Council might be concerned both to explore new avenues for cooperation between the ASPAC countries and to consider how these countries, individually and in partnership, could help bring peace, stability and progress to the Asian and Pacific region. The objective of regional cooperation, the Prime Minister emphasized, was to develop a new community in which all the peoples of the area could live and work together in dignity and freedom.

3. Over a period of three days the Ministers discussed a wide range of international issues in general and the current situation in the Asian and Pacific region in particular. They expressed their concern and apprehension over the tense situation in their region arising out of the stepping up of hostilities which were also threatening to disturb world peace and security. They gave particular attention to the implications for the region of the changing policies of the major powers, the growing strength of a number of countries within the region, and the renewed efforts to establish areas of partnership between the countries of Asia and the Pacific. They recognised that in a period of rapid change and development there was a need for regional cooperation on the widest possible basis.

4. The Ministers reaffirmed their belief that the primary responsibility for dealing with the problems of the Asian and Pacific area lay with the countries of the region. They also reaffirmed their profound conviction that the less powerful nations of the area are entitled to the full recognition, scrupulous observance, and strict respect, by more powerful states, of their desire to live in peace, independence and harmony. They expressed the willingness of their Governments to join with other Governments and associations in the area in seeking ways and means of reducing tension and promoting stability and peaceful development. They believed that this would help promote a growing consensus among the nations of the region which would transcend differences of outlook and encourage new and promising initiatives.

5. The Ministers considered that the Djakarta Conference on Cambodia was a significant example of the manner in which countries of the region could work together in an endeavour to restore peace to an area of immediate concern to them. They expressed the hope that the process of consultation adopted by the Djakarta Conference would help bring about a peaceful settlement in Cambodia and stimulate further initiatives towards solving some of the outstanding problems of the region.

6. Recognising that the present year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, the Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and in particular the provisions for the resolution by peaceful means of disputes among nations.

7. In reviewing the situation in the Indo-China area the Ministers noted that the level of hostilities had diminished in Vietnam but expressed their grave concern at the stepping up of hostilities in Laos and Cambodia. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the continuing progress achieved by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam particularly in the fields of pacification, rural reconstruction and land reform. They were also encouraged by the successful effort of the Government and the people of the Republic of Vietnam in strengthening the country's security and in assuming increasing responsibility for their self-defense. They expressed disappointment that the search for a negotiated solution of the Vietnam conflict had not so far succeeded, and urged that new efforts be made to get substantive negotiations under way to work out a just and lasting settlement. The Ministers reaffirmed their deep sympathy for the Republic of Vietnam, the Kingdom of Laos, and Cambodia in their efforts to preserve their independence and freedom. The Ministers suggested that each ASPAC member might consider what assistance it would be able to give to Laos and Cambodia. They expressed the view that the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and strict neutrality of Cambodia and Laos should be respected in accordance with international agreements applicable to these two countries and the provisions of the United Nations Charter. They agreed that, when hostilities had ceased, there would be an urgent need for a substantial external contribution to the rehabilitation of the whole Indo-China area.

8. The Ministers discussed with concern recent developments on the Chinese mainland. In view of their implications for Asian and Pacific nations they agreed that it was necessary to follow future developments closely.

9. The Ministers were pleased to note that the developing members of ASPAC have continued to enjoy a satisfactory rate of economic growth. They were particularly gratified over the fact that the Republic of China, once a recipient of economic aid, now has a sizeable programme of economic and technical cooperation in many developing countries in various parts of the world.

10. In reviewing the situation in the Korean peninsula the Ministers expressed their concern at the continuing tension caused by provocative and aggressive acts against the Republic of Korea, including the hijacking of a Korean passenger plane on December 11,1969 and the seizure of a Republic of Korea Navy broadcasting vessel on June 5, 1970. The Ministers expressed the hope that, from the humanitarian point of view, the detained crew members and passengers of the said plane and vessel be returned without any further delay. They warmly commended the successful efforts of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea to strengthen the country's position in order to safeguard its national security and to sustain rapid development of its national economy.

11. The Ministers expressed regret that atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons continued to be held in the Asian and Pacific Region despite the Partial Test Ban Treaty and the protests repeatedly made by a number of ASPAC countries. They expressed their concern at the potential hazards that atmospheric tests pose to health and safety and urged the cessation of further tests within the region.

12. In noting political developments in the South Pacific, the Ministers welcomed the emergence to full independence this year of two island countries, Fiji and Tonga.

13. The Ministers expressed pleasure at the steady growth of trade between ASPAC countries and stressed the importance of cooperation in promoting intra-regional trade. They examined the various types of restrictions to trade within the area and looked forward to the elimination as soon as practicable of the range of barriers which still existed. In this context the Ministers acknowledged the current efforts within UNCTAD to establish a generalised scheme of non-reciprocal, non-discriminatory preferences for developing countries.

14. The ministers took note of the report of the Standing Committee. They thanked the Chairman and the members of the Wellington Standing Committee for the work they had done and expressed their satisfaction at the progress achieved.

15. The Ministers were of the view that ASPAC was now an established and accepted part of the developing framework for cooperation in the region. They regarded it as a valuable forum for close consultation and cooperation in the political, social and economic fields. They reaffirmed their conviction that the association would best achieve its purposes by maintaining an outward looking approach and expressed their wish to develop greater cooperation between ASPAC and other regional associations. They noted that all ASPAC projects were open to non-member countries, subject to the approval of the Council.

16. The practice of informal consultations among ASPAC members in other international organizations and on the occasion of major international meetings was endorsed by the Ministers as one of the most useful activities of the association. They agreed that this should be continued, and that informal consultations in other places from time to time would also be useful.

17. The Ministers formally approved the Draft Agreement submitted by the Standing Committee for the establishment of an Economic Cooperation Centre for the Asian and Pacific region in Bangkok and noted that the Agreement would be open for signature at the conclusion of their meeting. The Ministers noted with gratification that the Government of Thailand had undertaken to meet the costs of the establishment, administration and operation of the Centre for the first three years its establishment, except for expenses directly related to experts voluntarily provided by participating Governments. The Ministers also noted that the Thai Government would welcome additional contributions by other members of ASPAC to the Centre's activity. The purpose of the Centre is to promote closer and harmonious economic relations among, and accelerate economic development in, member countries.

18. The Ministers noted with appreciation the reports on the Registry of Scientific and Technical Services, the Cultural and Social Centre and the Food and Fertiliser Technology Centre. They expressed satisfaction that these three ASPAC projects were making substantial progress in their respecttive spheres of activity. They also noted with pleasure that the Food and Fertiliser Technology Centre was formally inaugurated on April 24, 1970 and that all the member Governments had pledged contributions to finance the operational costs of the Centre for its first year.

19. The Ministers took note of the Standing Committee report on the Japanese proposal for an ASPAC Maritime Cooperation Scheme and referred it to the new Standing Committee for detailed consideration and report to the Sixth Ministerial Meeting. The proposal is aimed at developing a framework for regional cooperation to secure greater safety at sea.

20. The Ministers received with appreciation the proposal of the Philippine Government for an ASPAC Youth Volunteer Programme and referred it to the Standing Committee for detailed consideration and report to the Sixth Ministerial Meeting. The proposal is aimed at mobilising the youth of Asia for volunteer work on community development and similar projects.

21. Reaffirming their agreement to meet annually, the Ministers accepted with appreciation the offer made by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to hold the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Council in Manila in 1971. Consequently, and in accordance with established practice, the Standing Committee will meet in Manila under the Chairmanship of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs during the coming twelve months, and the Philippine Government will act as a clearing house and provide a working Secretariat pending and during the Sixth Ministerial Meeting.

22. The Ministers expressed their sincere appreciation to the Government and people of New Zealand for the excellent arrangements and facilities provided for the meeting, and the warm hospitality extended to them and their delegations, as well as for the valuable assistance rendered to them by the Secretariat.
 

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA:
	(Sgd.) WEI TAO-MING
	Minister of Foreign Affairs
FOR JAPAN:
	(Sgd.) KIICHI AICHI
	Minister of Foreign Affairs
FOR THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA:
	(Sgd.) KYU HAH CHOI
	Minister of Foreign Affairs
FOR MALAYSIA:
	(Sgd.) MOHAMED KHIR BIN JOPARI
	Minister of Commerce and Industry
FOR THE PHILIPPINES:
	(Sgd.) CARLOS P. ROMULO
	Secretary of Foreign Affairs
FOR THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND:
	(Sgd.) THANAT KHOMAN
	Minister of Foreign Affairs
FOR THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
	(Sgd.) TRAN VAN LAM
	Minister of Foreign Affairs
FOR AUSTRALIA:
	(Sgd.) EDWIN HICKS
	Minister for External Affairs
FOR NEW ZEALAND: (Sgd.)	KEITH J. HOLYOAKE
	Minister of Foreign Affairs