THE FIRST MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON POLITICAL AND SECURITY ISSUES, ASIA-MIDDLE EAST DIALOGUE (AMED), 28 FEBRUARY—I MARCH 2006, LE MERIDIEN HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR

CO-CHAIRS’ STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION 

1                 The First Meeting of the Working Group (WG) on Political and Security Issues was held in Kuala Lumpur from 28 February -  March 2006.

OPENING SESSION

2                 The meeting heard a keynote address by the Honourable Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia during the opening session of the meeting. The Minister expressed delight that AMED, which began as a modest initiative, seems to be gathering momentum. He urged that participating countries press on with understanding each other better, appreciating each other more and doing more together in practical ways.

3                 Prosperity, security and justice, he observed were best secured through effective international co-operation and those efforts in this direction should be on the basis of mutual respect and mutual understanding. The ties of history, culture and commerce were deep and they need to be constantly strengthened as the regions move forward. He reiterated that Malaysia would continue to promote understanding and advance the goals AMED countries seek toward open and tolerant societies committed to prosperity and peace.

4                 Whilst sharing his observations, the Minister also made a number of specific proposals, including:

4.1               Strengthening the global normative framework governing state behaviour and inter- 

                   state relations;

4.2               Promoting inter-faith dialogue; and

4.3               Undertaking a multilateral approach to countering international  

                    terrorism and complementing other regional efforts.

5                 The Minister suggested some practical measures that could be undertaken to 

                   implement these three areas of cooperation. These are:

5.1               Drafting of a declaration of principles on amity and cooperation                    based on the mode) of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia  

                   (TAC);

5.2               AMED countries could propose practical ways to emphasise the                                      need for inter-faith understanding and dialogue;

5.3               Established an expert group comprising experts and practitioners to                    

                   exchange views and propose ways for AMED member countries to project a

                   unified view on the need to address the root causes of terrorism in the global war 

                   against terrorism;

5.4               Proposed AMED countries to enhance co-operation to strengthen                  

                   inter-dependence among energy consumers and producing countries in the

                   following areas:

5.4.1             efficient utilization of energy resources during production, distribution and 

                    consumption of energy through the sharing of information and experiences on

                    policies and programmes in individual economies;

5.4.2            facilitation of financing for energy programmes to meet the region’s energy needs

                   by encouraging investment in the broad range of energy projects, including energy

                   efficiency, renewable energy and energy infrastructure; and

5.4.3            co-operation in energy-related research to enable the production, transportation

                   and consumption of energy resources using cost-effective and environmentally-

                   friendly technologies.

OVERVIEW OF POLITICAL AND SECURITY DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

6                 The discussion during the first session saw an extensive exchange of views on the Minister’s address which presented an overview on the political and security situation in Asia and the Middle East. Delegates welcomed the Minister’s speech as one that was forward looking as it contained some broad and specific suggestions and proposals as we move on to AMED II at Cairo in 2007. There was general agreement that the proposals in the address deserved support as well as merited further study.

7                 The meeting agreed to set up a working group to further study the Minister’s proposal for AMED countries to develop their own declaration of amity and cooperation based on the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation Southeast Asia with a view to coming up with a draft to be discussed at the second AMED. Malaysia, together with Saudi Arabia and Egypt will pursue this further together with other interested members of AMED.

8                 The meeting underlined the need to take a holistic approach on security matters to encompass not only terrorism but also natural disasters and communicable diseases.

9                 The meeting also agreed to contribute and promote further dialogue between different cultures and civilisations.

STRENGTHENING COOPERATION BETWEEN ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

10                The highlights of the discussion of the second session could be summarised as follows:

10.1             That terrorism remains a key security challenge for all AMED countries;

10.2             The UN has a central role to play in combating terrorism; and other regional 

                   organizations and initiatives like AMED could contribute constructively to the

                   deliberation of the issue;

10.3             AMED countries should put greater investment into sharing of intelligence, better

                   policing and proper border controls and more importantly, to create a climate of

                   opinion which is constantly reinforcing the values on which society is based;

10.4             Distinction between terrorism and legitimate national resistance against foreign occupation was deliberated; and

10.5             AMED countries should undertake practical cooperation to address this problem

                   in the following areas;

10.5.1          Collectively project the importance of addressing underline causes as a key

                   element for a successful global effort against terrorism.

10.5.2          Address the issue of money laundering and organized crimes.

11               The session recommended that ISIS of Malaysia and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) convene a meeting of similar institutions of AMED countries with a view to fleshing out some of the key issues pertaining to counter terrorism. The meeting also endorsed possible cooperation between Southeast Asia Centre for Counter Terrorism (SEARCCT) and its counterparts in other AMED countries. Such cooperation could include training to enhance the professionalism among counter terrorism officers, for information exchange and practical cooperation between law enforcement agencies and to mitigate the problem of incomplete legal mechanisms in the area of counter terrorism.

ENERGY SECURITY

12                Discussion on energy security took note that oil has been the primary energy source since the mid eighties of the last century. Consumption of gas is expected to increase. Consuming countries expressed concern over stable supply of energy while producing countries are concerned over access to market and the overall stability of the market. In this regard, there was emphasis for enhanced cooperation between consuming and producing countries to ensure better sustainability in energy supply and demand.

13                Discussion also focused on energy efficiency and saving, and renewable energy and alternative fuel.

CONCLUSION

14                The meeting thanked the delegations of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia for convening the first meeting of the WO on Political and Security Issues of the AMED. It expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s arrangements for the meeting.  The co-chairs would submit a report on the outcome and key decisions of the first WG meeting to the fourth meeting of the AMED Steering Committee.

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