ASEAN and
Japan
cooperation
A
second meeting of the ASEAN-Japan eminent persons’ group
was held in Vientiane on Saturday to discuss and review
the ASEAN-Japan co-operation over the past 30 years, and
possible ways to boost future co-operation.
The
meeting was hosted by Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs on
behalf of the ASEAN and co-chaired with Japan. Laos took
the role due to an assignment by ASEAN as the
association’s co-coordinator with Japan from 2006 to
2009.
The
results of the meeting will be forwarded for discussion
at the ASEAN-Japan summit to be held in Thailand at the
end of this year. The ASEAN-Japan co-operation has
deepened and broadened in scope since 1973 and now
covers the three pillars that support the development of
the ASEAN Community-politics, economic and social
culture for the enhancement of peace, stability and
prosperity in the region.
Japan
has played an important role in reducing poverty in
ASEAN member countries through the Initiative for ASEAN
Integration and Vientiane Action Programme. The
ASEAN-Japan eminent persons’ group was established at
the 10th ASEAN-Japan summit held in the Philippines last
year. The group’s first meeting took place in Japan in
March.
