State of ASEAN
Why is it many commentators had dubbed ASEAN as one of the most successful regional groupings in the world? I believe there were two reasons. One, members of ASEAN were doing well, and some were even compared to the rising tigers of East Asia. Two, most countries experienced political stability. With the economic crisis things have changed. Members now experience political and regional instability.
So if you ask me, it would be misleading to paint a rosy outlook for ASEAN. In fact, at last year's ASEAN FMs' Meeting, I was candid in my speech, which was described as a wake-up call. I alluded to ASEAN's problems a moment ago. But at the same time, I would caution against painting an overly pessimistic view of ASEAN.
We have to view matters from a historical perspective. If we look back and reflect on how far ASEAN has come in the 30-plus years since its inception, things do not appear as bad. ASEAN was formed in a region of so-disparate countries. Many pundits called our region the "Balkans of Asia" and predicted that ASEAN would not last. But we have lasted and evolved as an organisation that we are now.
ASEAN has nurtured certain habits of regional cooperation. We have established good institutions beyond the Foreign Ministries, such as the meetings of Finance, Economic and Environment Ministers. Much substantive cooperation arise from such meetings.
There is a network of meetings for leaders and officials from ASEAN countries for interaction. We agreed to cut down the pomp and ceremony and move to more business-like meetings. There is also a meeting of Ministers in Retreat which encourages frank exchanges of views.
Keeping ASEAN Together
Singapore will work with others in ASEAN during this interregnum to hold the organisation together during this difficult period, to get members to stay on track on key matters like AFTA. This is important because of the new leaders in ASEAN.
Fourth AIS and the way forward for ASEAN
I think it was a useful forum, coming as it is at this time. Leaders set clear direction by making ASEAN integration their key priority. On how to avoid a two-tier ASEAN and how to integrate the newer ASEAN matters, we have to work closely to integrate our ten markets and make our economies more competitive. This will certainly help reduce the gap within ASEAN and make ourselves more cohesive.
There was agreement that those better off should help the less developed countries. In this respect, Singapore is fully committed to working with ASEAN to assist the CLMV countries; which is Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The leaders agreed on the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). To catalyse this initiative, Singapore proposed a package of proposals on human resource development, education and IT.
Leaders also signed the e-ASEAN framework agreement as ASEAN's clear response to the global information revolution. PM Goh has argued that e-ASEAN would transform ASEAN into one seamless and borderless market instead of ten fragmented markets.
Initiative for ASEAN Integration
This package of proposals announced by PM at the 4th ASEAN Informal Summit in Singapore is made up of two parts: Skills Development and Educational Development. The proposals will stretch over a five-year period, costing $59.54 million.
It involves firstly, Skills Development training institutes being established in CLMV countries; Second, a five-year package of IT "Train-the-Trainers" courses for each of the CLMV countries. Third, an Education "Train-the-Trainers" Programme focuses on teacher and trainer development. Fourthly is the doubling of the number of Singapore Scholarships under the Singapore Cooperation Programme from 30 to 60 per academic year. Finally, we are also planning Student Exchange programmes at both the secondary school and youth levels.
Other Issues
On the ARF, it remains a very important forum to discuss security-related issues in ASEAN. It is driven by ASEAN in that its meetings are chaired by ASEAN. Singapore's view is we should nudge ASEAN and other countries faster from confidence-building towards Preventive Diplomacy but we should be cognizant of the fact that others need to do so at a pace comfortable to them. We should work with others on the pace which is comfortable for everyone.
ASEAN-EU: The ASEAN-EU Meeting was stalled for some time. The last meeting was to be held in Europe but due to the EU common policy on Myanmar, they denied a visa to Myanmar. ASEAN would not be divided and would not turn up without Myanmar. There was an impasse. There was a dialogue which led to the ASEAN-EU meeting in Vientiane. All the ASEAN Foreign Ministers were there. Our approach to the EU was that if they had a problem with Myanmar, by all means, engage Myanmar and do not jeopardise the long-standing ASEAN-EU relationship. It struck a chord in the EU and they have agreed to hold the next meeting in Europe.
ASEAN+3 Process
The ASEAN+3 process has been going on for some time and meetings are held back-to-back with the Summit, where ASEAN leaders meet with Japan, China and Korea, separately as well as collectively. Members asked whether this would led in future to closer cooperation between ASEAN and the +3 countries. Yes, it is already happening.
The meetings that we have annually symbolise the close cooperation between ASEAN and the +3 countries. With each country, we review prospects for collaboration and cooperation. The idea of an East Asia Summit merits consideration in the longer term and in principle, I think it is a good idea. Our preference is for a gradual approach.
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