Japan, ASEAN pledges to strengthen security cooperation

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 12, 2003

Japan, ASEAN pledges to strengthen security cooperation

Leaders of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pledged Friday to reinforce their long-standing economic relations and make advances to cooperate in security.

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Leaders of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pledged Friday to reinforce their long-standing economic relations and make advances to cooperate in security.

Their two-day summit in Tokyo was considered a milestone as it illuminated 30 years of "special relations" between the two sides and marked the first time for all 10 ASEAN leaders to assemble outside their region for a summit with a dialogue partner.

The leaders also developed a new facet in their relationship in taking the first step to enhance security cooperation, a departure from traditional ties centering on trade, investment and development.

According to Kyodo News, many ASEAN leaders welcomed Japan's pledge to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which was concluded by ASEAN in 1976.

They were quoted as saying the move symbolizes Japan-ASEAN relations evolving into a partnership in political and security areas from donor-recipient ties in the past.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi signed a document confirming Japan's intention to accede to the pact, which China and India joined in October. Japan will be formally admitted after obtaining parliament approval next year.

Meanwhile, the Japanese and ASEAN leaders signed a document that shapes the future course for cooperation in a broad range of areas -- not only economic and financial but political and security collaboration as well.

The Tokyo Declaration for the Dynamic and Enduring Japan-ASEAN Partnership in the New Millennium shows both sides' determination to continue to deepen and broaden cooperation within the Japan-ASEAN strategic partnership to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Koizumi and the ASEAN leaders compiled and adopted the Japan-ASEAN Plan of Action listing about 120 concrete measures to be implemented in line with the declaration.

The 20-page action plan states that Japan will place emphasis on cooperation to narrow the economic divide among ASEAN members, promote economic competitiveness of ASEAN nations and address transnational issues.

The action plan also gives high priority to Japan and ASEAN jointly combating such transnational issues as antiterrorism, infectious diseases and environmental protection.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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