Draft Resolution Sponsored by the Lao People's Democratic Republic

THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM

Based on the will of the peoples of South East Asia to live in peace and prosperity within the ASEAN Community, and in harmony with the other peoples of Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world;

Reaffirming that peace, stability, cooperation and development are the major trends of today’s globalized and interconnected world;

Acknowledging, nevertheless that unilateralism, disregard of international law, terrorism, transnational crime, poverty and the development gap, as well as the contradictions between civilizations, remain the global challenges and threats of our time;

Reiterating the need for closer cooperation among APPF member parliaments in the areas of politics and security, economics and trade, education, culture, health, environment and development;

Resolves to:

1.            Call upon APPF member parliaments in South East Asia to promote in their own countries the implementation of the ASEAN Charter endorsed at the ASEAN Summit in Singapore in November, 2007;

2.            Appeal to all APPF member parliaments in North East Asia, America and Oceania to provide support and assistance to the realization of the ASEAN Community as mentioned in the Vientiane Action Programme;

3.            Resort to dialogues based on mutual trust, interests and understanding to solve political conflicts that may arise in the region;

4.            Support the efforts made by governments of ASEAN countries to strengthen peace and security in South East Asia;

5.            Improve the quality of dialogues on peace and security by making them more relevant, efficient and participatory through the presence of all parties concerned at APPF meetings.