ASEAN, Japan need to boost economic ties

VGP – PM Nguyen Tan Dung called on both ASEAN and Japan to further step up economic, trade and investment linkages and narrow development gap while he delivered his remarks at the 16th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Brunei on October 9.

October 09, 2013 6:45 PM GMT+7

Leaders of ASEAN and Japan at the 16th ASEAN-Japan Summit, Brunei, October 9, 2013 - Photo: VGP

He also urged both sides to foster cooperation in education and human resource development, sub-Mekong region and deal with other regional and international challenges.

At the summit, leaders of the two sides expressed their pleasure at the positive development of the bilateral ties.

ASEAN leaders affirmed that Japan is one of the most important strategic partners of the bloc. The Northeast Asian country is now ASEAN’s second biggest trade and investment partner and one of the biggest importers.

The bloc welcomed Japan’s policy of attaching importance to relations with ASEAN, supporting ASEAN Community building and its central role in the regional architecture.

ASEAN also highly valued Japan’s support for its efforts in ensuring maritime security and safety in the East Sea and in the region.

The leaders agreed to organize a summit in Tokyo in December to mark the 40^th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Partner and to discuss measures and orientations to elevate the bilateral ties to new heights for peace, stability and prosperity in the region./.

By Huong Giang