RI, Japan for regional integration
Annastashya Emmanuelle, Jakarta
Indonesia voiced its support on Saturday for Japan's efforts to strengthen regional economic cooperation, a possible precursor to allowing Japan wider exposure to the Association of Southeast Asian Nation's (ASEAN) free trade regime.
After meeting with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi here on Saturday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said she "welcomed the concept conveyed ... which is to create a lasting cooperation between Japan and the ASEAN countries."
While the details of the purported "concept" remain somewhat vague, Megawati did say that the two countries also agreed on the need for regional and international cooperation, together with the United Nations, in combating translational crimes.
For its part, Indonesia also received affirmation that Japan, as Jakarta's largest aid donor and investor, would continue to support the country, politically and financially.
Koizumi stated that Tokyo remains committed to backing Indonesia's reform efforts and territorial integrity, including the maintenance of political stability.
"I agree with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on the importance of maintaining Indonesia's stability and prosperity to the Asia Pacific region," Koizumi said.
However, no new aid pledges or projects were proposed by the Japanese side during the visit.
Later Saturday evening, a Japanese official briefing journalists about the meeting said Koizumi had also stressed the importance of Indonesia peacefully resolving its domestic problems.
The official added that Indonesian Cabinet ministers attending the meeting also urged the Japanese government delegation to provide support to restore order so a better investment environment can be attained.
The Japanese prime minister arrived in Jakarta on Saturday as part of a whirlwind tour of five southeast Asian countries.
The underlying pitch of his visit has been to promote a comprehensive economic partnership aimed at strengthening economic links on broad issues between Japan and the ten-member ASEAN of which Indonesia is one of the founding states.
The timing coincides with the coming into force of the first phase of the ASEAN Free Trade on Jan. 1. The agreement, however, has yet to cover all products and services.
ASEAN comprises of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Koizumi during his tour has reportedly also received encouraging responses for the idea from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
While the effectiveness of AFTA remains unproven, the potential benefits of a free trade domain in the region has not been lost on Tokyo.
On the final leg of his tour on Sunday, Koizumi in Singapore is expected to sign a free trade agreement between Japan and the island state.
ASEAN itself in the past few years has also been eagerly pushing for closer economic integration with its East Asian neighbors, culminating in summit meetings popularly known as ASEAN+3, bringing together ASEAN along with China, Japan and South Korea.
And Megawati, in her remarks on Saturday after the meeting, also specifically referred to enhanced cooperation within this context, saying that she "welcomed the new idea to forge cooperation and relations in the form of ASEAN plus three."