ASEAN to boost E. Asia synergy

ASEAN to boost E. Asia synergy

HANOI (AFP): Deputy foreign ministers and senior officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and three East Asia countries agreed to set up an East Asia research group to boost cooperation, a report said on Monday.

The research group, decided on at a weekend meeting in Ho Chi Minh-City, would consist of the ASEAN general secretary, deputy foreign ministers of the 10 ASEAN countries, and China, Japan and South Korea, the Communist Party daily newspaper Nhan Dan said.

The organization, regulations and principles of the group will be considered and approved at an upcoming ASEAN ministers' meeting.