RI, Japan for regional integration<\/p>\n
Annastashya Emmanuelle, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia voiced its support on Saturday for Japan's efforts
\nto strengthen regional economic cooperation, a possible precursor
\nto allowing Japan wider exposure to the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nation's (ASEAN) free trade regime.<\/p>\n
After meeting with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro
\nKoizumi here on Saturday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said
\nshe \"welcomed the concept conveyed ... which is to create a
\nlasting cooperation between Japan and the ASEAN countries.\"<\/p>\n
While the details of the purported \"concept\" remain somewhat
\nvague, Megawati did say that the two countries also agreed on the
\nneed for regional and international cooperation, together with
\nthe United Nations, in combating translational crimes.<\/p>\n
For its part, Indonesia also received affirmation that Japan,
\nas Jakarta's largest aid donor and investor, would continue to
\nsupport the country, politically and financially.<\/p>\n
Koizumi stated that Tokyo remains committed to backing
\nIndonesia's reform efforts and territorial integrity, including
\nthe maintenance of political stability.<\/p>\n
\"I agree with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on the
\nimportance of maintaining Indonesia's stability and prosperity to
\nthe Asia Pacific region,\" Koizumi said.<\/p>\n
However, no new aid pledges or projects were proposed by the
\nJapanese side during the visit.<\/p>\n
Later Saturday evening, a Japanese official briefing
\njournalists about the meeting said Koizumi had also stressed the
\nimportance of Indonesia peacefully resolving its domestic
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
The official added that Indonesian Cabinet ministers attending
\nthe meeting also urged the Japanese government delegation to
\nprovide support to restore order so a better investment
\nenvironment can be attained.<\/p>\n
The Japanese prime minister arrived in Jakarta on Saturday as
\npart of a whirlwind tour of five southeast Asian countries.<\/p>\n
The underlying pitch of his visit has been to promote a
\ncomprehensive economic partnership aimed at strengthening
\neconomic links on broad issues between Japan and the ten-member
\nASEAN of which Indonesia is one of the founding states.<\/p>\n
The timing coincides with the coming into force of the first
\nphase of the ASEAN Free Trade on Jan. 1. The agreement, however,
\nhas yet to cover all products and services.<\/p>\n
ASEAN comprises of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
\nMalaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and
\nVietnam.<\/p>\n
Koizumi during his tour has reportedly also received
\nencouraging responses for the idea from Philippine President
\nGloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
\nMohamad, and Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra.<\/p>\n
While the effectiveness of AFTA remains unproven, the
\npotential benefits of a free trade domain in the region has not
\nbeen lost on Tokyo.<\/p>\n
On the final leg of his tour on Sunday, Koizumi in Singapore
\nis expected to sign a free trade agreement between Japan and the
\nisland state.<\/p>\n
ASEAN itself in the past few years has also been eagerly
\npushing for closer economic integration with its East Asian
\nneighbors, culminating in summit meetings popularly known as
\nASEAN+3, bringing together ASEAN along with China, Japan and
\nSouth Korea.<\/p>\n
And Megawati, in her remarks on Saturday after the meeting,
\nalso specifically referred to enhanced cooperation within this
\ncontext, saying that she \"welcomed the new idea to forge
\ncooperation and relations in the form of ASEAN plus three.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-japan-for-regional-integration-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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