APPF INFORMAL MEETING CANBERRA
10-11 DECEMBER 1991
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARIANS FORUM (as prepared in Singapore, August 1991 and as amended in Canberra, December 1991)
Consensus has been reached among participants as follows:
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The Asia Pacific region contains some of the world's most dynamic economies. Increasing trade and investment in the region has resulted in the need for higher levels of economic integration. A number of regional and subregional bodies such as APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation), ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), PECC (Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference) and PBEC (Pacific Basin Economic Council) have been established to encourage trade and economic links. These organisations operate principally at ministerial, official and private sector levels.
Apart from regional branches of international organisations, there is no entity that provides a forum for examining the critical political, social and cultural developments resulting from economic integration and growth. A forum for regional parliamentarians would provide a unique opportunity to advance developments in these areas and further regional cohesion, cooperation and understanding.
It is proposed that a new forum to be called the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Forum be established to further these objectives and to provide opportunities for discussion among parliamentarians in the region. This forum will be a loosely structured and non-exclusive gathering of parliamentarians who will participate, in principle, in their personal capacities. The Forum will act to encourage, promote and cooperate with regional governments, assemblies, business, educational and cultural organisations.
The steering committee recommends that the Forum act to promote greater regional identification and cooperation with an emphasis on the following:
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Cooperation for the further advancement of democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity in the region.
Open and non-exclusive cooperation in support of the liberalization of international trade.