Japan, S'pore agree to boost Japan-ASEAN ties

Japan, S'pore agree to boost Japan-ASEAN ties

Agence France-Presse, Tokyo

The Japanese and Singaporean trade ministers agreed Monday on a joint effort to boost Japan-ASEAN economic ties.

Visiting Singaporean trade and industry minister George Yeo held a 30-minute meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeo Hiranuma in Tokyo, a trade ministry official said.

"During the meeting, the two sides agreed to cooperate in realizing a comprehensive economic partnership between Japan and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations)," said the official.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stressed the need for the Japan-ASEAN economic partnership in January, when he visited key ASEAN countries including Singapore.

During the trip, Koizumi and his Singaporean counterpart Goh Chok Tong signed a free trade agreement (FTA), the first ever for the world's second biggest economy.

"Based on the FTA with Singapore, we will take a firm step toward the co-existence and co-prosperity of Japan and ASEAN," Hiranuma told Yeo, according to the official.

The Singaporean minister replied his country was ready to be "actively" engaged in joint efforts with Japan to enhance ties between the two sides, the official said.

Yeo is in Japan for a three-day trip and is due to return home Tuesday.

ASEAN, formed in 1967, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.