Japan and Singapore have agreed to strengthen economic cooperation via plans to jointly promote the export of infrastructure systems to other countries.

At the talks in Singapore on July 26, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe confirmed plans to work together on negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and another large free trade bloc such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which encompasses East Asia.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the talks, Abe said the two sides agreed to cement links between their defence forces, especially in disaster and rescue operations.

He said the two leaders also exchanged views on overlapping territorial disputes, expressing hope that the countries concerned will solve them peacefully in accordance with international law.

Lee also said he hopes territorial issues will not affect the common stability of entire East Asia , affirming that all nations will benefit from the region’s stability.

The Japanese PM said that his country wishes to create trade and investment rules with Southeast Asian nations by promoting free trade arrangements with them.

Singapore was the second leg of Abe's three-nation tour of Southeast Asia , aiming at deepening Japan-ASEAN ties.

Earlier on July 25, Abe held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Tun Razaj on bilateral, regional and global issues of interest.

On July 26, he began his two-day official visit to the Philippines.-VNA