1. We, the Ministers of ASEAN, the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea responsible for combating transnational crime, convened our First ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC+3) in Bangkok on 10 January 2004. The Meeting was preceded by a Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting for AMMTC+3 on 9 January 2004.
2. We recall the proposal of China during the Sixth ASEAN Plus Three Summit held in Phnom Penh on 4 November 2002, which suggested the ASEAN Plus Three process be expanded to include regional political and security issues such as the fight against terrorism and transnational crime. We also recall that the Leaders supported the convening of the ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on non-traditional security issues.
3. We recollect the Seventh ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Bali on 7 October 2003, during which our Leaders reiterated their determination to further strengthen cooperation in the field of non-traditional security issues, especially in intensifying joint efforts to combat international terrorism in the region, and to support the Bali Concord II, which includes close cooperation in developing the ASEAN Security Community.
4. We reaffirm our intention to dedicate our efforts, through AMMTC+3, to fight against transnational crime, especially terrorism as well as to support the building of the ASEAN Security Community as stated by our Leaders during the Sixth and the Seventh ASEAN Plus Three Summits.
5. We are pleased to note the statements made by the Ministers of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, which expressed support for the efforts of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in forging cooperation among ASEAN Member Countries in fighting transnational crime and called for the strengthening of ASEAN Plus Three cooperation in this area.
6. We welcome the progress in cooperation in combating transnational crime among ASEAN Member Countries and between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea within the dialogue framework.
7. We note the progress of related works in other fora, which complements the ASEAN Plus Three efforts in combating transnational crime, and recognize the need to take into account these efforts in our work.
8. We recognize that the root causes of transnational crime, including poverty and development gaps, could also be addressed within the ASEAN Plus Three cooperation framework.
9. We decide that in pursuing our cooperation in combating transnational crime, the following principles will be followed: consensus through consultation on the basis of equality, mutual respect for sovereignty, gradual process, and flexibility and effectiveness in our cooperation.
10. We endorse the mechanism of cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea in combating transnational crime recommended by the Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting for the First AMMTC+3.
11. We held a Retreat to exchange views on strengthening ASEAN Plus Three cooperation in combating transnational crime.
12 We welcome the kind offer of Viet Nam to host the Second AMMTC+3 in 2005 where we look forward to making further progress in our cooperation to combat transnational crime.
13. We express our appreciation to Thailand for hosting this inaugural AMMTC+3 and to the ASEAN Secretariat for its contribution to the meeting.
