ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement TIFA Preparations for the 6

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7.8 ASEAN – EU

7.8.1 Trans-Regional EU-ASEAN Trade Initiative TREATI

107. The Meeting considered Thailand’s non-paper on the ASEAN-EU TREATI Cooperation on Investment, which appears as ANNEX 48. The Meeting noted the paper and agreed that this be submitted to EU, through the Country Coordinator Viet Nam. 108. Viet Nam expressed her concern over the slow progress in the implementation of the TREATI despite the mandate from the Ministers to expand and broaden the coverage of the TREATI. Brunei observed that one of the reasons for this is the reactive attitude towards the projectsactivities proposed by EU that ASEAN sectoral bodies have taken over time. 109. The Meeting agreed that the ASEAN sectoral bodies, even those outside the purview of SEOM, should be asked to play a proactive role in identifying projectsactivities under the TREATI. Noting further that the Ministers have identified four priority areas for TREATI and that these areas are among the sectors identified by ASEAN for priority integration, the Meeting agreed that the concerned Country Coordinators should also consider and submit recommendations on how ASEAN could take advantage of the TREATI in facilitating and advancing ASEAN integration in their respective sectors.

7.8.2 Vision Group on ASEAN-EU FTA

110. Viet Nam briefed the Meeting on the outcome of the Inaugural Meeting of the ASEAN-EU Vision Group held in Hanoi on 21-22 July 2005. The progress report of the ASEAN-EU Vision Group, which includes the Terms of Reference not only for the ASEAN- EU Vision Group but also for the conduct of the two supporting studies, appears as ANNEX 49. 111. The Meeting noted that Cambodia’s proposal to include consideration for additional benefits to less-developed ASEAN members to enable them to join possible ASEAN-EU FTA engagement in the future has been supported by the Vision Group and has been incorporated in the TOR for the studies. 112. On the issue of the funding for the Vision Group meetings, which appeared in square-brackets in paragraph 7 of the TOR of the Vision Group, the Meeting agreed to adopt Option 2, i.e. Member Countries fund their participation to the Vision Group meetings. 113. The Meeting noted the intention of the Vision Group to have its second meeting in November in order to consider the preliminary result of the studies. In this regard, the Meeting requested Myanmar to nominate her officials to participate in the study as soon as possible. The Meeting further agreed that ASEAN shall have a caucus meeting before each Vision Group meeting. 114. The Meeting further noted that EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson had invited AEM for consultations at the sidelines of the ASEM EMM-6 in Rotterdam on 16-17 September 2005.

7.9 ASEAN - US

7.9.1 ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement TIFA

115. Indonesia informed the Meeting that no response had been received from the US with regard to the proposed text of ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Page 20 of 23 TIFA. The Meeting noted that despite the approach taken by the US in its engagement of ASEAN, the progress in their bilateral negotiations with concerned ASEAN members had also been limited. 116. The Meeting confirmed that no AEM-USTR Consultations shall take place in Vientiane on 30 September 2005 should the USTR not be able to participate.

7.9.2 Preparations for the 6

th SEOM – AUSTR Consultations, 26 August 2005, Bangkok, Thailand 117. The Meeting endorsed the provisional agenda for the 6 th SEOM–AUSTR Consultations, which appears as ANNEX 50. The Meeting noted that Ms. Lisa Cohen will attend on behalf of Ms. Barbara Weisel for the consultations. AGENDA ITEM 8. OTHER MATTERS 8.1 Preparations for the Meeting of the High Level Task Force HLTF on ASEAN Economic Integration, 2-3 September 2005, the Philippines 118. The Philippines briefed the Meeting on her preparations for the forthcoming meeting of the HLTF which is scheduled in Manila on 2-3 September 2005 highlighting the possibility of low attendance due to the tight schedules of ASEAN meetings. 119. Schedule of HLTF Meetings. The Meeting noted the current schedule of HLTF meetings i.e. two weeks before the regular AEM and the AEM Retreat and observed that with such schedule, SEOM’s work could not be timely guided by HLTF’s viewinputs. In this regard, the Meeting agreed to submit to the forthcoming HLTF that the following schedule be considered in their future meetings: i to meet back-to-back with the first and third SEOM meetings; or ii to meet one month after the ASEAN Summit. 120. Agenda of the HTLF. The Meeting noted the draft agenda of the HLTF meeting, which appears as Annex 51, and agreed to recommend that the following items be included in the agenda of the HLTF, in addition to the regular agenda of the HLTF i.e. implementation of the Bali Concord II and the regular report to the Ministers: a Stock-taking of the status of implementation of economic-related sections of the Vientiane Action Programme VAP. b Review of the implementation of the sectoral roadmaps for priority integration. c Review of ASEAN FTA negotiations with various Dialogue Partners. 121. The Meeting also noted the ASEAN Secretariat’s proposal to transform the HLTF into a Strategic Planning Group. While indicating preference to retain the HLTF name as is, the Meeting welcomed such added functions and agreed that such recommendation be forwarded to the HLTF for decision.

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