1. We, the ASEAN Finance Ministers, met in Hanoi on the occasion of the Third ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting. Our meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Nguyen Sinh Hung, Minister of Finance of Vietnam, who assumed the chairmanship from Indonesia. We are honoured by the presence of the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Phan Van Khai, who delivered the keynote address at the Opening Ceremony.
2. We exchanged views on the financial and economic situation in the region under the ASEAN Surveillance Process and discussed issues relating to the international financial architecture, the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action and the mandates of the Sixth ASEAN Summit. In our survey of regional and global prospects, we exchanged views with representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
3. We recognize that the crisis has introduced new challenges to ASEAN’s commitment to economic co-operation. We are encouraged that the crisis has strengthened our resolve to remain united, while recognizing our diversity, and to explore options to further enhance ASEAN co-operation