Japan to strengthen ties with ASEAN, boost investment in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Japan would strengthen its relation with ASEAN and increase investment in Indonesia, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda quoted Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada as saying on Tuesday evening here.
The Indonesian foreign minister told a press conference, after a meeting between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono and the Japanese foreign minister at the State Palace, that Japan would strength ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the help of Indonesia.
"Japanese foreign minister sees the relation with ASEAN in recent years has weakened, (so that) Japan wants to step up Japan-ASEAN ties through the help of Indonesia, which is considered as a leader of ASEAN," Wirajuda said.
He said the new government of Japan would pay more attention to Asia, especially East Asia, toward the establishment of East Asia community.
"We welcome the plan to strengthen the ties," said Wirajuda.
On investment, Japan pledged to raise investment in Indonesia following the decline of investment in recent years, he said.
"The new government of Japan promises to invest a larger sum of funds compared to those in the previous years," said Wirajuda. But, the figure of the investment was not mentioned.
President Susilo has promised to continue efforts and policies, supporting favorable investment climate during his second term.
Okada is scheduled to visit Indonesia's quake-affected areas of West Sumatra province on Wednesday to asses what kind of assistance Japan may give further before ending his two-day visit in Indonesia.
The Indonesian foreign minister told a press conference, after a meeting between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono and the Japanese foreign minister at the State Palace, that Japan would strength ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the help of Indonesia.
"Japanese foreign minister sees the relation with ASEAN in recent years has weakened, (so that) Japan wants to step up Japan-ASEAN ties through the help of Indonesia, which is considered as a leader of ASEAN," Wirajuda said.
He said the new government of Japan would pay more attention to Asia, especially East Asia, toward the establishment of East Asia community.
"We welcome the plan to strengthen the ties," said Wirajuda.
On investment, Japan pledged to raise investment in Indonesia following the decline of investment in recent years, he said.
"The new government of Japan promises to invest a larger sum of funds compared to those in the previous years," said Wirajuda. But, the figure of the investment was not mentioned.
President Susilo has promised to continue efforts and policies, supporting favorable investment climate during his second term.
Okada is scheduled to visit Indonesia's quake-affected areas of West Sumatra province on Wednesday to asses what kind of assistance Japan may give further before ending his two-day visit in Indonesia.