Standby Fund 120 Billion Dollar

JAKARTA, MONDAY - three partners of ASEAN and East Asia (Japan, China and South Korea) agreed to increase the amount of idle funds to anticipate the impact of global financial crisis in the region of about 80 billion U.S. dollars to 120 billion U.S. dollars. So that the standby fund that can be realized immediately, the finance ministers of ASEAN Plus Three are expected to be meeting. The aim is to make the funds can be directly used after inaugurated by the leaders of ASEAN Plus Three High Level Conference on the ASEAN Plus Three later. It was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Hassan Wirajuda and the Secretary General of ASEAN Dr. Surin Pitsuwan said during the meeting of foreign ministers of ASEAN.

On the same day, Monday (15/12), the ministers also inaugurate the applicability of the ASEAN Charter at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also attend and give a speech at the ceremony that the applicability of the ASEAN Charter.

Both Hassan and Surin also convey the agreement Laos to promote the implementation of the ASEAN network arrived in Kuwait City from March into late February 2009.

Surin present, the ASEAN leaders have agreed that arrived in Kuwait City, conducted on 24-25 February and 26 February. However, the date is still to be consulted with the six partners of ASEAN countries at a meeting of ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia arrived in Kuwait City (East Asia Summit). The six countries are Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and India.

More compact

In his speech, President Yudhoyono said the applicability of the ASEAN Charter to open a new era for ASEAN. In part that is called by us to work harder with a more compact than ever done before. He added, the charter will only reach its objective if the countries members of the faithful carry the full seriousness and various aspeknya. "No one can certificates, which also involved with itself. Everything depends on us, whether would fully utilize the existing charter is to encourage integration, development of our community, and in general make it a part of our lives. This must be done immediately. Do not be a waste of time, "said President Yudhoyono.

Chiang Mai Initiative

Surin explained, the standby funds by utilizing the mechanism agreed that the agreement is based on the Chiang Mai. Initially, the funds based on the standby bilateral cooperation, but later expanded into a multilateral framework. Thus, the state-Plus Three countries and international bodies other can be involved."They understand that we will face pressure due to the crisis together as a region. This development is important for us all, a sense of togetherness as a community. We want to face the problem together and search efforts together to overcome them, "said Surin.

He added, the efforts of East Asia is supported by the developed countries so that the area can still continue to become the world economy.Immediately after the applicability of the Charter of ASEAN, Surin information, countries should immediately appoint permanent representatives at the ASEAN Secretariat. The goal, representatives of the permanent bridge the responsibility and obligation of the government and the country to work together with the ASEAN Secretariat.