Key points from the Pacific Islands
pp. 11-15 · Read in the full issue
Forum communique issued in Palau
• The Forum is to be called “Pacific Islands Forum” following a one year transition period to allow time for the necessary administrative changes associ ated with the change. • Leaders endorsed in principle a free trade area among Forum members not ing that this would be implemented in stages over a period of up to 2009 for developing Forum Island Countries and 2011 for the Smaller Island States and
Least Developed Countries. • The Forum endorsed the “Forum Aviation Plan : 1999 Review” and supported the convening of a further Forum Aviation Ministers Meeting in 2000, noting, in par ticular, the special circumstances of Smaller Island States with respect to avia tion. This will create a unified air traffic control system Pacific-wide. • Leaders reiterated the critical importance of efficient and effective communications
services for economic and social devel opment and the constraints placed by the relatively high cost structures of telecommunication networks for Forum Island Countries. • The Forum reiterated its view that ship ments of radioactive materials and Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel through the region posed a continuing concern and agreed to adopt a consistent position on
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the issue, taking into account the risks of an accident occurring and the conse quences of such an accident. • The Forum noted there had been no fur ther signatures or ratification of the Raro tonga Treaty since 1997 and reiterated its call upon the United States to ratify the Protocols to the Treaty. • The Forum welcomed progress in devel oping a vulnerability index and reiterated its call for a comprehensive vulnerability index, encompassing such factors as environmental and capacity considera tions that could be broadly applied and included in the criteria for determining Least Developed Country status and for deciding on concessional aid and trade treatment. • Leaders welcomed the increasing interest
in the Forum and its related meetings and endorsed the following criterion for observership by Pacific Territories: “A Pacific Island territory on a clear path to achieving self-government or indepen dence may be eligible for observer status at the Forum, subject to the approval of Forum Leaders”. • Leaders agreed that the Forum Fisheries Agency Vessel Monitoring System needs to be fully implemented by all FFA mem bers within two years. Leaders reaf firmed the importance of a coordinated regional approach to the issue of main taining fish stocks at a sustainable level in the Western and Central Pacific. • The Leaders recalled the positive out comes of the inaugural South Pacific Forum-Japan Leaders’ Summit held in October 1997 in Tokyo and the recent
communication with the Government of Japan concerning a possible follow-up Summit in the near future. The Forum highlighted the importance of the Sum mit in expanding further, the already strong links between the region and Japan and tasked the Secretariat to pur sue discussions with Japan on the timing of the next Summit. • Leaders warmly commended the strong contribution of South Pacific Forum members to regional security, in partner ship with one another and with the inter national community. Leaders indicated their willingness and desire to provide practical support, as required and within their resources, for UN operations in East Timor, including for the current INTER FET operation. ■