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Sun rises on Asia-Europe ties
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21:59
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07/10/2004
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The Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi says increased relations between ASEM’s Asian and Eurpean partners will boost the two region’s and the world economy.
What is your opinion of the progresson the relations and cooperation between ASEM member countries during the past two years?
I am deiighted to see that the ASEM process has seen many significant dialogues and cooperation in a variety offields over the last two years.
In the political field, the ASEM Seminar on Anti-terrorism was held, and the Political Declaration on Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Means of Delivery was adopted. In the economic field, Japan and Indonesia led others to start the ''Bal1 Initiative,'' which is a human resources development programme in the financial sector.
ln other fields including social and cultural cooperation, I welcome the achievements that have been made in enhancing cooperation between Asia and Europe, includingthe launch of the ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilisalions in 2003 at a ministerial level.
ASEM 5 will welcome l3 new member countries, which will lead to a basic format for ASEM dialogue comprising all members of the European Union, the 10 members of ASEAN, and Japan, China and the Republic of Korea. I sincerely hope that the enlarged ASEM wil1 resuit in further expansion and strengthening of cooperation between Asia and Europe.
What measures are needed to fulther develop the relationship among ASEM member countries, especiall in economic cooperation?
Strengthening ties between Asia, where the impetus for builđing an east Asian community is growing, and Europe, where the regional cooperation through the enlargement and deepening of EU is progressing, is of mutual benefit to the economies of both regions and indeed, of benefit to the world economy. It is now necessary to identify specific areas in which practical dialogue and cooperation are possible, and to examine the means required to ensure that such dialogue and cooperation can take place. I consider the theme for ASEM 5, ''Further Revitalizing and Substantiating theAsia-Europe Partnership,'' is an important one for all the ASEM partners.
In order fur ASEM to advance cooperation in the economic fieid, it is necessary that its actions are based on current realities in the world and regional economies. It is also important to take private sector's opinions. Areas for cooperation could include our efforts to eliminate regional economic disparities, to improve transparency and information
sharing as a means of responding effectively to regional newly emerging diseases such as SARS and to ensure the protection of intellectual property rights. Japan is committed to actively tackle these issues and further promote economic cooperation within ASEM.
What is your opmion on the preparation for this important inter- regional event? And being the Asian coordinator of ASEM, how has Japan participated in this preparation and what will it bring to the summit?
Japan appreciates that Vietnam has accorded ASEM 5 a status of a national event of the highest significance and the active efforts in various preparations by both the government and private sectors have been made in Vietnam toward the summit. Given the true friendship that exists between Japan and Vietnam, Japan has cooperated with Vietnam with a view to providing the greatest assistance possibie to ensure the success of ASEM 5.
As a coordinator of the ASEM process Japan has been undertaking a variety of efforts towards the success of ASEM 5, including collecting and compiling opinions from countries in northeast Asia, and together with Vietnam, coordinating the opinions of the Asian partners and making efforts to ensure that such opinions will enable the creation of a consensus with the European partners. As a coordinator, Japan will continue to assist the Chair of ASEM 5, Vietnam, for the success of the meeting.
Could you please assess the relationship and the future development of economic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan?
As Vietnam has promoted its doi moi reforms and its policies to open the country, economic relations between Japan and Vietnam have developed rapidly. As a result, Japan has become Vietnam's largest trading partner, the largest investor (on performance base) and the largest donor of official development assistance (ODA).
I am convinced that economic relations between Japan and Vietnam will grow increasingly important in the future. One basis for this conviction is the high expectations Japanese companies have of Vietnam. Whether it be investment or trade, I believe it is essential for Vietnam's domestic environment to be further improved in order to bolster the potentiai fur development, and I woulđ l1ke to encourage Vietnam to further promote its reform efforts. The Government of Japan is fully prepared to continue to assist Vietnam in its reform efforts.
Could you send Vietnam Investment Review readers a message?
I hear that the people of Vietnam are very interested in ASEM 5. It is of the utmost significance that the leaders ofASEM will be gathering in Vietnam, a country which has been enjoying remarkable economic development, to discuss closer economic partnership between Asia and Europe. I hope that the readers will continue to pay close attention and look furward to future developments inASEM. For my part, I am also looking forward to my upcoming visit tơ Vietnam.
(CPV/VIR)
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