Japan, Mekong states agree to draw up new areas of cooperation next yr

November 19, 2011
(Mainichi Japan)

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Kyodo) -- Leaders of Japan and the Mekong basin nations of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam agreed at their summit Friday evening to map out new areas of cooperation next year.

They also agreed to update a three-year action plan adopted in 2009, according to a joint statement issued after their summit held on the sidelines of regional summits involving the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

All Mekong basin nations belong to the regional bloc.

During the talks in Bali, Indonesia, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his counterparts from the five Mekong countries also agreed that Japan will host the next Japan-Mekong summit in 2012.

They also agreed to boost cooperation in dealing with natural disasters, exemplified by the recent massive flooding that has affected the region, especially Thailand.

According to the statement, they stressed the need to strengthen cooperation with related institutions to promote the sustainable development and management of water and other resources of the Mekong River, and also work together in areas such as food security.

On issues other than development in the region, Noda and the Mekong leaders also agreed that North Korea must abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs, and underscored the importance of tackling concerns such as North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals, the statement said.

North Korea is not a member of the association but takes part in an ASEAN framework known as the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Noda and the Mekong leaders also referred to the South China Sea in their joint statement, stressing the need to commit to universally recognized principles of international law. Such principles include freedom of navigation and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Vietnam is one of four ASEAN members engaged in a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas.

Main points of Japan gov't briefing on Japan-Mekong summit

The following are the main points of a briefing given by a Japanese Foreign Ministry official on the meeting Friday between the leaders of Japan and the Mekong basin nations of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

-- Japan and the Mekong basin nations agree to map out new areas of cooperation next year.

-- Japan and the Mekong basin nations discussed their cooperation based on the three-year action plan adopted in 2009.

-- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda expressed condolences over the recent flooding in the region and noted the importance of the countries closely working together in areas such as disaster management, environmental protection, food security and issues related to child health and infectious diseases.

-- During the summit that lasted for about 30 minutes, the Mekong nation leaders expressed gratitude for Japan's assistance in these fields.

-- The next summit, the fourth of its kind, will be held in Japan in 2012.