EXCERPTS FROM THE JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF THE 34TH ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING, Hanoi, 23-24 July 2001

We exchanged views on new developments in East Timor and welcomed the progress towards the restoration of stability in East Timor and acknowledged the role of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) in the transitional period and reiterated the need for the support of the international community in playing an active role in the nation-building efforts of East Timor. We welcomed the registration process of East Timorese refugees which had been undertaken successfully without incident. We supported the on-going efforts of the Government of Indonesia in cooperating with relevant international humanitarian organizations in facilitating the return and resettlement of the refugees. We also welcomed the successful completion of the UNSECOORD mission which is essential in facilitating the role of the U.N. in resolving the problem of the East Timorese refugees.