ASEAN ministers wrap up meeting

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 08/01/2007 12:19 PM

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Manila

Foreign ministers from 16 countries meeting this week in Manila appealed for the release of South Korean hostages in Afghanistan and confirmed their commitment to enhance energy cooperation in line with the January Cebu Declaration on East Asia energy security.

The ministers from the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and expressed deep concern over the recent abduction of innocent citizens in South Korea.

The foreign ministers released a statement that read:

""We convey our deepest sympathy to the bereaved families, people and government of the Republic of Korea for the unjustifiable killing of two Korean citizens.

""For humanitarian reasons, we appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining hostages to enable them to reunite with their loved ones.""

The appeal for the release of hostages was repeated during the ASEAN Plus Three meeting, which included the 10 ASEAN members, Japan, China and South Korea.

Philippines Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo, who chaired both meetings, said the statement expressed solidarity with the hostages, the people of South Korea and all those who wished for the swift, safe and unconditional return of the hostages.

South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Park In-sook, who attended the EAS meeting on behalf of Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon said the people and government of South Korea were deeply appreciative of the minister's statement.

The ASEAN Plus Three foreign ministers also renewed their commitment to work together to meet those challenges, especially in promoting peace, stability and economic progress in the region.

They reaffirmed their support for the six party talks process as the most viable mechanism for peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.

They stressed the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was essential in maintaining peace and security in the region, and expressed support for the resolution of the nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation.

The East Asian foreign ministers also reiterated their determination to continue building on the gains of the East Asia Summit, which met in Cebu last January.

They said they particularly wanted to focus on the area of energy cooperation, in line with the Cebu Declaration on East Asia Energy Security.

Romulo said the Energy Cooperation Task Force, established by the East Asian leaders, had held four meetings and had identified priority work streams.

Their priorities included energy efficiency and conservation; biofuels for transportation and other purposes; and energy market integration.

ASEAN countries called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Iraq in order to bring back normality to the embattled country.

A joint communiqu issued by the foreign ministers at the end of their two-day 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held at the Philippine International Convention Center, said they were deeply concerned over the continued instability in Iraq even if they reaffirmed their support for the Iraqi government and its efforts to ensure unity, security, stability and prosperity in Iraq.

The minister's ending statement said: ""Towards this end, we believe that the phased and calibrated withdrawal of foreign forces in Iraq, taking into account the conditions on the ground, will contribute towards bringing normalcy.""

They said they welcomed the outcomes of international meetings in Baghdad and Sharm El-Sheikh aimed at expediting national reconciliation and reconstruction.

They said these were crucial to the attainment of peace, security and development in Iraq.

The foreign ministers also expressed deep concern over the situation in the Middle East and said there was a need for substantial progress in the quest for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. More stories -- Page 3, 11, 12

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