ASEAN, Japan agree to step up technical cooperation
An ASEAN – Japan agreement on technical cooperation was signed in Tokyo on May 13, the first of its kind sealed between the bloc and its dialogue partner.
ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono at the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – An ASEAN – Japan agreement ontechnical cooperation was signed in Tokyo on May 13, the first of its kindsealed between the bloc and its dialogue partner.
Signed by ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and Ministerof Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono, the pact sets out a legal framework for theJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to offer direct assistance to ASEANas an international organisation.
Accordingly, JICA will provide ASEAN with technicaltraining, equipment and machines, while sending experts to ASEAN facilities,including the secretariat and a number of educational establishments andresearch institutes.
Under the agreement, which is valid for five years,cooperation programmes will be carried out across ASEAN member states incontribution to overall socio-economic development of the bloc.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprisesBrunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
Vietnam is the current coordinator of ASEAN-Japan relations,with its tenure lasting from August 2018 to August 2021.-VNA
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ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono at the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA) 
