ASEAN, Japan reaffirm commitment to strengthen partnership

The 14th ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting held at the ASEAN Secretariat today underscored the commitment of both sides to further advance their partnership. The meeting welcomed the progress in realising the Implementation Plan of the 2013 Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Approximately 95% of the action lines under the Plan have been addressed.

The meeting discussed ways to implement the Joint Statement of the 22nd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Connectivity adopted in November last year and welcomed initiatives from both sides to enhance the regional connectivity. ASEAN appreciated Japan’s continued support for ASEAN’s development including its contribution to the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund. Priorities in 2020 would be given to supporting programmes and projects in the areas of maritime cooperation, connectivity, UN Sustainable Development Goals, economic and other areas such as digital economy, MSMEs, disaster management.