BANGKOK, Sept 6 — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan have agreed to strengthen their partnership in four different areas, according to Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Mr Sihasak who attended the 29th ASEAN-Japan forum in Tokyo on Wednesday and Thursday told a press conference Friday that participants reviewed and followed up progress on the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and the joint statement of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit, agreed in Tokyo last December, which focused on strengthening cooperation in four areas.
They called for partnership for both sides on peace and security, partnership for prosperity, partnership for better quality of life, and partnership from heart to heart.
Mr Sihasak said senior diplomats attending the meeting stressed the significance of Japan promoting peace, security and prosperity in Eastern Asia, and on further promoting cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in various fields including prevention of terrorism, transnational crime, computer criminals and management of natural disasters through existing cooperation framework.
On economic cooperation, he said ASEAN member countries and Japan agreed to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and tourism.
Both sides agreed to prepare a so-called ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
They also agreed to increase Japan’s role in helping reducing disparity on development which is considered important for strengthening the ASEAN Economic Community, due to be implemented at the on on next year.
Participants also discussed regional transportation connectivity aimed at enhancing economic relations between countries on the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, he added.
