ASEAN, Japan reaffirm commitment to strong partnership
Senior officials from ASEAN and Japan met in Bandar Seri Begawan for the 32nd ASEAN-Japan Forum on March 2, 2017. They reaffirmed the importance of the long-standing partnership between both sides. Japan expressed its strong support for ASEAN’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the region, including the central role played by ASEAN in regional mechanisms.
Japan reiterated its commitment to continue support for ASEAN’s integration and community-building efforts through its development assistance and capacity-building programmes. ASEAN-Japan cooperation covers many sectors including support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), disaster management, health care, education, human rights, youth development, cultural heritage, and sports.
On the regional and international situation, subjects of common concern were discussed including maritime security and freedom of navigation, the situation in the Korean Peninsula, the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, non-traditional security issues and emerging threats such as cyber-crime.
In the light of the recent uncertainty over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Japan and ASEAN underlined the importance of concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership expeditiously.
Press-release at the official ASEAN web-site