ASEM Adopts Seoul Declaration for Inter-Korean PeaceThe ongoing third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) adopted the Seoul Declaration on Peace on the Korean Peninsula Friday morning.The five-point declaration was passed at the first of three ASEM's closed-door sessions held at the Center for Conventions and Exhibitions in southern Seoul. In the declaration, the leadership from the 25 ASEM members discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula in the context of encouraging the development of better relations between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). They shared the view that peace and stability on the peninsula are closely linked to the Asia-Pacific region and the world. Recalling previous attempts by South Korea and the DPRK to reduce tensions on the peninsula and improve inter-Korean relations, the ASEM leaders recalled the inter-Korean summit that took place in Pyongyang on June 13-15. They congratulated President Kim Dae-jung and National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il for their courage and vision in taking the historic step. ASEM leaders also commended the steps both sides have already taken in implementing the South-North Joint Declaration, which includes humanitarian issues, notably family reunions, economic cooperation and dialogue on military issues, with the hope of achieving lasting peace and eventual reunification on the peninsula. They looked forward to further progress in this respect. Recognizing the importance of continuing dialogue in the resolution of inter-Korean issues, the leaders renewed their support for the process of rapprochement and cooperation underway between South Korea and the DPRK, and encouraged both sides to continue building on the success of the inter-Korean summit for the sake of peace and security in the region. They also welcomed the recent positive developments in relations between the DPRK and the United States. In pursuit of their objectives, they affirmed the ASEM partners' willingness to help build confidence and enhance peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the region, and their support for the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization. The ASEM leaders also underlined the importance of strengthening efforts to improve relations between ASEM, its individual partners, and the DPRK through dialogues, people-to-people exchanges, economic links, as well as through DPRK's participation in multilateral dialogues. The two-day ASEM meeting is expected to adopt two other major documents-- the Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework 2000, and the Chairman's Statement late Friday or tomorrow. |
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