RI, Japan for regional integration

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."