Sec. 205. United States-ASEAN strategic partnership
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It is the sense of Congress that the United States should— support and reaffirm the elevation of the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (referred to in this section as ASEAN ) relationship to a strategic partnership; recommit to ASEAN centrality by helping build a strong, stable, politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially responsible community of nations that has common rules, norms, procedures, and standards which are consistent with international law and the principles of a rules-based Indo-Pacific community; urge ASEAN to continue its efforts to foster greater integration among its members; recognize the value of— ASEAN engagement with economic, political, and security partners within Asia and elsewhere, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan; and strategic economic initiatives, such as activities under the United States–ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement and the United States-ASEAN Connect, which demonstrate a commitment to ASEAN and the ASEAN Economic Community and build upon economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region; support efforts by the nations comprising ASEAN— to address maritime and territorial disputes in a constructive manner; and to pursue claims through peaceful, diplomatic, and legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms, consistent with international law, including through the adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea to further promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region; support efforts by United States partners and allies in ASEAN— to enhance maritime capability and maritime domain awareness; to protect unhindered access to, and use of, international waterways in the Asia-Pacific region that are critical to ensuring the security and free flow of commerce; to counter piracy; to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such as the trafficking of persons, goods, and drugs; and to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries or regional organizations to respond to emerging threats to maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region; and urge ASEAN member states to develop a common approach to reaffirm the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling with respect to the case between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with other Federal agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on a strategic framework to administer programs, projects, and activities of the United States to support diplomatic and economic engagement between the United States and ASEAN member countries for the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
The report required under paragraph
(1)shall address the following elements of United States strategy: Promoting commercial engagement between the United States and member countries of ASEAN. Helping member countries of ASEAN use sustainable, efficient, and innovative technologies in their respective energy sectors. Supporting economic conditions in member countries of ASEAN that promote innovation, the creation of new businesses, sustainable growth, and the education of the region’s future innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Working with member countries of ASEAN to improve the policy and regulatory environment for growth, trade, innovation, and investment. Supporting the regional integration objectives of member countries of ASEAN under the ASEAN Economic Community. Partnership opportunities with the governments of other countries friendly to the United States that have committed to a high set of standards for investment and development with ASEAN, as determined by the Secretary of State.