Ratifying amity and co-operation<\/p>\n
The Tokyo Declaration and the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action
\ncontain a host of measures to enhance relations and co-operation
\nbetween the two sides, ranging from human trafficking and
\nterrorism to drugs and piracy.<\/p>\n
Since the first ASEAN-Japan Summit in 1977 which produced the
\nFukuda Doctrine of heart-to-heart diplomacy, Japan has been a
\nvital presence in the development of the ASEAN region. It has
\nbeen the largest source of ASEAN's foreign direct investment and
\ntourists, and its second largest trading partner. Japan has also
\nbeen the region's biggest donor of aid, and it channeled US$80
\nbillion (RM304 billion) to help ASEAN countries recover from the
\n1997 financial crisis.<\/p>\n
However, after 25 years, the special relationship between
\nASEAN and Japan needed to be taken a step further and its future
\ndirection plotted. The Commemorative Summit produced positive
\nsigns that the ties between the two sides are heading towards new
\nlevels. It is significant, for example, that Japan has finally
\nsigned ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Co-operation, the regional
\nnon-aggression pact ratified in 1976, after years of resistance.<\/p>\n
Malaysia can be expected to pay special attention to the
\nprogress of free trade talks with Japan, which have been
\nscheduled to begin early next year, the establishment of the
\nMalaysia-Japan Technical University, and the development of the
\nBrunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-West ASEAN
\nGrowth Area (BIMP-EAGA). It is also hoped that Japan will respond
\npositively to the Prime Minister's appeal to Japan to provide
\nassistance to the proposed anti-corruption academy and that the
\nother ASEAN members will support the regional anti-graft center.<\/p>\n
While Japan has long been a model and inspiration to Malaysia,
\nit is hoped that the Commemorative Summit will mark a new
\nwatershed in ASEAN-Japan relations.<\/p>\n
-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ratifying-amity-and-co-operation-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }