Sec. 205. UNITED STATES-ASEAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

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## SEC. 205 UNITED STATES-ASEAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ###

(a)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the United States should— ####

(1)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; ####

(2)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; ####

(3)urge ASEAN to continue its efforts to foster greater integration among its members; ####

(4)recognize the value of— #####

(A)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 #####

(B)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; ####

(5)support efforts by the nations comprising ASEAN— #####

(A)to address maritime and territorial disputes in a constructive manner; and #####

(B)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; ####

(6)support efforts by United States partners and allies in ASEAN— #####

(A)to enhance maritime capability and maritime domain awareness; #####

(B)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; #####

(C)to counter piracy; #####

(D)to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such as the trafficking of persons, goods, and drugs; and #####

(E)to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries or regional organizations to respond to emerging threats to maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region; and ####

(7)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. ###

(b)Report on Strategic Framework for Engagement With ASEAN ####

(1)In general 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. ####

(2)Elements The report required under paragraph

(1)shall address the following elements of United States strategy: #####

(A)Promoting commercial engagement between the United States and member countries of ASEAN. #####

(B)Helping member countries of ASEAN use sustainable, efficient, and innovative technologies in their respective energy sectors. #####

(C)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. #####

(D)Working with member countries of ASEAN to improve the policy and regulatory environment for growth, trade, innovation, and investment. #####

(E)Supporting the regional integration objectives of member countries of ASEAN under the ASEAN Economic Community. #####

(F)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.