MFA Spokesman's comments in response to media queries on the outcomes of the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta from 7 to 8 May 2011

In response to media queries on the outcomes of the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta from 7 to 8 May 2011, the MFA Spokesman said:

"Senior Minister S Jayakumar represented Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 18th ASEAN Summit.

There were frank and substantive discussions on a wide range of regional and international issues among the ASEAN Leaders. They reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN's 2015 Community building targets, and emphasised the need to continue making progress on the implementation of the three Community Blueprints and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. There was also consensus on the importance of ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture, in light of the expanded East Asia Summit (EAS).

The Leaders heard from the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand on the recent border conflicts. The Leaders expressed their deep concern and strongly supported Indonesia continuing its efforts, as the ASEAN Chair, to facilitate constructive dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia and Thailand were urged to resolve their differences peacefully, in the interests of ASEAN.

The need for greater regional cooperation on safety and security in the development of civilian nuclear energy was also discussed. The Leaders expressed their commitment to promote and uphold the highest international standards of nuclear safety and security, and pledged to support the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) efforts to strengthen the global nuclear safety framework. There was agreement to develop a co-ordinated ASEAN approach on this issue, in cooperation with the IAEA and relevant partners.

Singapore's proposed concept of a "Community and Harmony in ASEAN through Tertiary Education Relations" (CHARTER) programme to enhance exchanges between universities and institutions of higher learning in ASEAN was endorsed by the Leaders. This aims at developing a stronger sense of identity and belonging to ASEAN among our youth through the promotion of cross-cultural understanding, to further strengthen ASEAN's community building efforts. The Education Ministers were tasked to discuss and flesh out the concept, and to try and implement it early.

On Myanmar's intention to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2014, the Leaders agreed that this should be considered carefully and thoroughly before a decision was made.

No decision was taken on Timor Leste's application for ASEAN membership. The Leaders agreed that it was necessary to further consider the implications on ASEAN and ASEAN's goal of an ASEAN Community by 2015, as well as Timor-Leste's ability to fulfill the obligations of ASEAN membership.

The Leaders agreed that the EAS had become an integral part of the regional architecture and welcomed the participation of the US and Russia in the EAS from 2011. This would enrich the EAS' discussion on strategic issues, even as the EAS continued to focus on its five priority areas of cooperation, ASEAN Connectivity and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA).

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 MAY 2011