ambassador ong keng yong conference on asia pacific regional economic integration and architecture...
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AMBASSADOR ONG KENG YONG
CONFERENCE ON ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION AND ARCHITECTURE
25 MARCH 2010
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
ASEAN and the Asia Pacific’s Role in Regional
Architecture
Key Factors
1. Historical baggage Individual countries’ experiences during World War II
and their colonial encounters
2. Diverse cultural, economic, political and social systems Sensitivities of race, religion and language
3. Entrenched positions of big powers Especially in the determination of regional affairs
Regional Architecture
ASEAN developed regional mechanisms and processes Manage and balance competing interests Series of overlapping circles with ASEAN at its core Peace, prosperity and security
ASEAN Regional Forum
Established in 1994 Maintain peace and stability in the region Promote regional development and prosperity
Three-stage process Stage 1 on Confidence Building Measures, Stage 2 on Preventive Diplomacy Stage 3 on Conflict Management
Gradual evolutionary approach, decision-making by consensus Movement at a pace comfortable to all members
ASEAN Plus Three
Started in KL in December 1997China setting the pace (ASEAN-China FTA)ASEAN moving strategicallyDriving force is economic and strengthening
of ASEAN’s centrality
East Asia Summit
Started in KL in 2005 Addition to ASEAN Plus Three Process Inculcated bureaucratic cooperation and coherence Developed mutual confidence and trust Focused on more strategic issues
Cooperation in energy security, finance, health pandemic, education, environment
ASEAN ASEAN Plus Three Additional members of the East Asia Summit
ADB’s Illustration of Regional and Trans-regional Forums
Source: ADB’s Emerging Asian Regionalism, A Partnership for Shared Prosperity
Regional Partnerships
East Asian community building: ASEAN+3 and EAS as complementary processes
Regional countries engaged Broad range of regional challenges addressed
Healthy sign Ongoing discussions – mechanisms can evolve Keep up with new challenges and changing
international circumstances
Important to maintain region’s delicate yet dynamic equilibrium
ASEAN’s Partnerships in Regional Contexts
Separately:
ASEAN Plus One mechanisms with individual Dialogue Partners of ASEAN
FTA Strategy
Concluded FTAs China, RoK, Japan, Australia/New Zealand, India
Encouraged more FTAs Talks with EU Joint study with Pakistan GCC in agreement to explore possibilities
Trade and Investment Framework Agreement exists between ASEAN and USA
ASEAN External Economics Relations
ASEAN-Korea FTA
ASEAN-Japan CEP
ASEAN-CanadaASEAN-Russia
ASEAN-EU
ASEAN-Pakistan
ASEAN-US TIFA
ASEAN-India FTA
ASEAN-China FTA
ASEAN-Australia- New Zealand FTA
ASEAN-GCC
Asia Pacific community
Discussions on developing APc relevantAPc is not an independent idea
Must find its place among other elements of regional architecture
ASEAN countries not entirely persuaded by the APc Lacks clarity Does not yet seem to fit comfortably among existing
building blocks of the regional architecture
APc should not diminish ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture
Asia Pacific community (2)
Concern for ASEAN: Australia’s seemingly two-tier approach
Create grouping of big regional powers Sit above existing structures
Two-tier approach unlikely to serve the Asia-Pacific region well Basic philosophy: remain open and inclusive Be transparent
Better to rely on ASEAN-centric approach An ASEAN Plus Eight (ASEAN Ten, China, Japan, RoK,
India, Australia, NZ, Russia, USA)?
Conclusion
ASEAN lies at the heart of many multilateral initiatives Well placed to play unique role in evolving regional
architecture
Rise of big powers and new developments Challenges
Closer engagement with countries who can contribute to peace and stability in the region
Thank YouThank You
One Vision, One Identity, One Community