Leaders of ASEAN and Japan to the Commemorative Summit on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations, Tokyo, December 14, 2013 - Photo: VGP

The Summit, held on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations, was attended by heads of State/Government of ASEAN member countries and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.

On the occasion, PM Abe announced that Japan will provide around ¥ 2 trillion for ASEAN’s projects on enhancing connectivity and narrowing development gap; US$100 million for ASEAN-Japan Integration Fund; over  ¥300 billion for ASEAN to improve management capacity to cope with natural disasters; set up Asia Center to expand youth, art and acedemic exchanges.

At the end of the Summit, leaders of ASEAN and Japan passed the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the Implementation Plan of the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and the Joint Statement of the Commemorative Summit.

Accordingly, ASEAN and Japan will broaden cooperation on disaster management, counter-terrorism, trans-national crimes, maritime security as well as economic, trade and investment linkages; work towards the conclusion of the agreements on trade in services and investment, and the formulation of ASEAN-Japan trade trade area.

Regarding maritime security, the leaders underscored the importance of promoting maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, exercise of self-restraint and resolution of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Japan voiced support for the official consultations between ASEAN and China on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Japan was among first countries to set up dialogue relations with ASEAN in 1973 and signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

Over the past four decades, Japan has alsway been a major economic, trade, investment partner and official development assistance provider of ASEAN. The two-way trade value reached US$262.4 billion in 2012. Japan’s poured more than US$20 billion in ASEAN last year, acounting for one fifth of the bloc’s total foreign direct investment.

ASEAN leaders particularly appreciated Japan’s active cooperation and support for ASEAN to enhance connectivity, build ASEAN Community, narrow development gap and cope with challenges in the region.

By Hai Minh