Joint Statement of the Third ASEAN-China Prosecutors-General Conference　

The Third ASEAN-China Prosecutors-General Conference took place on July 31- August 1, 2006 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Delegates from ASEAN and China countries attended the Conference. The Conference was conducted as a continuing effort from Prosecutors-General and Attorneys-General in the region to enhance cooperation in the area of combating transnational crimes. The Conference was a follow up of The First Conference in Kunming, China and The Second Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Conference was successfully conducted in a conducive and friendly atmosphere. Under the theme of "promoting cooperation in combating transnational crimes", The Conference shared and discussed the possibilities of strengthening mutual cooperation and deepening judicial enforcement cooperation among ASEAN-China countries. It aims to bridge the differences in legal systems and formulate a mechanism to share, discuss and recommend practical steps to combat terrorism, drugs, money laundering, arms smuggling, trafficking in persons, corruption and other transnational crimes in the region.

The Prosecutors-General and Attorneys-General of the ASEAN-China countries shared the same opinion that:

1. All delegates repeated their commitments to work together and develop direct communications and enhance sharing of experiences and information within the framework of judicial cooperation. They have the same spirit to promote regional cooperation in combating transnational crimes as a part of international community. Ultimately, the cooperation among China-ASEAN prosecutors-general will give contributions to international law and order in combating crimes.

2. They encouraged all delegates to initiate and develop bilateral or multilateral treaty in mutual legal assistance and extradition, in order to expedite the process of regional cooperation in fights against transnational crimes. Further, it was acknowledged that ASEAN-China countries may have different legal systems as well as the prosecution system; however, those differences should not be obstacles to promote practical cooperation in maintaining regional judicial cooperation.

3. It was agreed that ASEAN-China countries shall work towards achieving greater transparency on the access of information, communication, mutual legal assistance, as well as enquiries and investigations on transnational crimes. Development towards direct cooperation between prosecutorial bodies in extradition, mutual legal assistance and other cooperation would enhance our ability to combat transnational crimes. It would also efficiently and effectively facilitate the achievement of a just law enforcement.

4. Resolve to strengthen further ASEAN-China Countries of Prosecutors-General Cooperation, and with the objective of strengthening cooperation develop joint activities between ASEAN-China within the existing framework of ASEAN-China Cooperation mechanism. In this context, the Meeting requests that the Indonesian Prosecutor-General Office would convey the outcome of this important meeting to the ASEAN Security Community Coordination Meeting that is scheduled to be held in Indonesia sometime during September 2006.

5. The Prosecutors-General and Attorneys-General of the ASEAN-China countries decided that terrorism and financing terrorism, trafficking in drugs, money laundering, arms smuggling, trafficking in persons and corruption as transnational crimes to be prioritized to enhance cooperation in handling those in togetherness, with respect to their national laws, relevant international laws, treaties and Agreements.

6. As a practical follow up from the Conference, it was agreed to consider the necessity of establishing a joint working group consisting of public prosecutors, government counsel or other relevant government officials in the area of combating transnational crimes, to formulate strategic steps and common respond mechanism in preventing and combating transnational crimes. This mechanism would discuss updated situation on each country and learn experience from others.

Signed in duplicate at Jakarta on the 1 day of August year 2006, in the Indonesian language and English. Both versions are equally authentic.