ASEAN and Japanese diplomats pose for a photo at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN (Photo: VNA) Tokyo (VNA) – Japan held a ceremony in Tokyo on November 22 to mark the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), recognising the bloc’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region and the world.
Addressing the event, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono expressed his delight at the achievements ASEAN has obtained over the last five decades, adding that his country appreciated ASEAN’s contributions to peace and prosperity in the region.
He stressed that Japan will continue respecting ASEAN’s unity and central role and work closely with the bloc to maintain regional prosperity and stability.
ASEAN has been an important partner of Japan over the 44 years of their cooperative relationship, he noted, adding that as the leader of Japan’s diplomatic sector, he will make all-out efforts to foster Japan-ASEAN ties.
On behalf of the ambassadors of the 10 ASEAN countries in Japan, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong listed ASEAN’s major attainments in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region. The bloc is now known as a successful region with cooperation pillars of regional peace and stability, economic connection, and institutional building.
As Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo, he thanked the Japanese Government and people for their support on behalf of ASEAN and each member country. He expressed his belief that bilateral relations will continue to thrive.
Japan and ASEAN set up relations in 1973, only six years after the grouping’s foundation. Japan currently ranks third among trade partners and second among direct investors in ASEAN.-VNA
VNA
