The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has always been "at the centre" of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's diplomacy, and he hopes the regional body will play a more proactive role for global peace and prosperity, Abe said in an English article he contributed exclusively for The Japan News on Thursday ahead of a key Asean-Japan summit meeting.
"Ever since I assumed the office of prime minister at the end of last year, I have been conducting strategic diplomacy looking over the entire globe, and Asean has always been at the center of my diplomacy as a special partner for Japan," Abe said in his article titled, "A future vision for Asean and Japan."
He added that it was a "great pleasure and honor" to host the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, which is a centerpiece of events held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of relations between Asean and Japan.
In an indication of the value Abe attaches to ties with Asean, he has visited all 10 member states since he became prime minister in December last year.
Although Abe did not mention China by name, he apparently referred to Beijing's recent declaration of an air defence identification zone over the East China Sea that covers the Senkaku Islands, and stressed the necessity of Japan-Asean cooperation to counter China's move to change the status quo in the region by force.
"Asean and Japan share the high seas that stretch between the two," Abe said. "The same can be said for the air space above. There is no need to mention how significantly important it is for Asean as an entity to ensure and promote fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and human rights and rule of law in order to maintain peace and stability of the region."
Abe said he believes Japan and Asean, through their commitment to the renunciation of the threat or use of force or coercion, and to peaceful dispute resolutions, can play a more "proactive role for peace, stability and prosperity" in the whole global community.
Source: Jakarta Post
