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ASEAN+3: For closer economic linkages

VGP – Leaders of ASEAN+3 agreed to deepen their financial and monetary cooperation, boost trade, investment, tourism, transport and infrastructure development at bilateral and regional levels in order to create closer economic linkages in the region.

October 30, 2010 7:16 AM GMT+7

Leaders of ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, Hà Nội, October 29, 2010 – Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc
The 13th ASEAN Plus Three Summit was opened in Hà Nội yesterday, attracting the presence of top leaders of ASEAN member states, the PMs of China and Japan, and the Republic of Korea’s President.

In his opening speech, Vietnamese PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng asserted that, since 1997, the ASEAN 3 cooperative mechanism has flourished in various domains, facilitating ASEAN 3 countries’ efforts in dealing with common challenges.

The PM described ASEAN 3 as one of most effective and dynamic mechanisms for promoting East Asia’s cooperation.

At the meeting, leaders gladly acknowledged the realization of the Working Plan to implement the Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation through numerous activities in 24 different fields.

The leaders lauded the coming into effect of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization Agreement since March 2010, the establishment of the ASEAN 3 Macro-economic Research Office (AMRO) and the Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF), and efforts to build up the East Asian Free Trade Area (EAFTA) and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA).

Regarding the future of ASEAN 3, the leaders agreed to take more practical measures to realize agreements, including the Working Plan on ASEAN 3 Cooperation.

ASEAN 3 countries pledged to enhance their cooperation in combating global challenges while boosting cultural, tourist and people-to-people exchanges for better mutual understanding, trust and solidarity.

By Phương Hạnh