ASEAN, Japan to Hold Commemorative Special Meeting in 2023

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, along with other ASEAN Heads of State/Government have agreed with Japan’s request to hold a special meeting to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations in Japan in 2023.

The agreement was made at the 24th ASEAN-Japan Summit organised this morning via videoconference with the participation of ASEAN leaders and Prime Minister of Japan H.E. Fumio Kishida, according to H.E. Kao Kim Hourn, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister.

The ASEAN leaders expressed their satisfaction with the progress in the ASEAN-Japan cooperation as well as their gratitude to the Government of Japan for its numerous assistance, especially the donation of COVID-19 vaccines for ASEAN and a contribution of US$50 million for the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

Moreover, the ASEAN leaders welcomed a US$250 billion loan from Japan to respond to COVID-19 crisis. Japan has previously announced a grant of US$200 million for medical materials and equipment and technical support for ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN leaders asked Japan to continue supporting the ASEAN Community Building, particularly the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV, and development gap minimisation, mainly in the Mekong region.

They suggested the deepening of ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership and the expansion of cooperation in all domains, especially digital development, economy, culture, security and so on.

For his part, H.E. Fumio Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for the core role of ASEAN.

The ASEAN and Japanese leaders also exchanged views on regional issues of common interest, including the South China Sea, Myanmar and Korean Peninsula issues.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press