1. The Second ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held on 1 August 1995 in Bandar Seri Begawan. The Meeting was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam.

2. The Forum was attended by all ARF participants. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also present.

3. The Ministers welcomed Cambodia to the ARF.

4. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the level of stability in the Asia Pacific Region. They noted the ways in which cooperative relationships were developing constructively. In this regard, the Ministers noted the many positive steps taken since the first ARF in Bangkok in July 1994, particularly those which built confidence and created greater transparency. In this respect, they noted the participants’ willingness to address substantive security issues in a spirit of mutual respect, equality and cooperation.

5. The Ministers expressed their appreciation for the consultations conducted by the Chairman of ARF, Brunei Darussalam, with ARF participants to obtain their views in preparation for the ARF. Based on the inputs and proposals, ASEAN has produced “The ASEAN Regional Forum — A Concept Paper”, as annexed.

6. The Ministers considered and endorsed the Report of the Chairman of the ARF-SOM. In particular, they adopted the following proposals in the context of the Concept Paper:

A. GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS

1. • The ARF participants shall continue to work closely to ensure and preserve the current environment of peace, prosperity and stability in the Asia Pacific;

2. • The ARF shall continue to be a forum for open dialogue and consultation on regional political and security issues, to discuss and reconcile the differing views between ARF participants in order to reduce the risk to security; and

3. • The ARF recognises that the concept of comprehensive security includes not only military aspects but also political, economic, social and other issues.

B. METHOD AND APPROACH

1. • A successful-ARF requires the active, full and equal participation and cooperation of all participants. However, ASEAN undertakes the obligation to be the primary driving force;

2. • The ARF process shall move at a pace comfortable to all participants;

3. • The approach shall be evolutionary, taking place in three broad stages, namely the promotion of confidence building, development of preventivediplomacy and elaboration of approaches to conflicts.