Tokyo, Japan (FN), Oct. 9 – At the 10th Mekong-Japan summit on Tuesday, Japan and leaders of the five Mekong countries decided to introduce "Tokyo Strategy 2018 for the Mekong-Japan Cooperation" to strengthen the relationship and cooperation among the Mekong countries and Japan for the development of the Mekong region.

The strategy outlined three main areas: (a) Achievements and Current Status of Mekong-Japan Cooperation, (b) Three New Pillars of Mekong-Japan Cooperation and (c) Regional and Global Issues.

Regarding the achievements and the current status of Mekong-Japan Cooperation, leaders of Mekong and Japan highly commended the implementation of "New Tokyo Strategy 2015" and official development assistance (ODA), which is worth more than $6.6 billion in the last three years.

The leaders decided to promote the relationship between Japan and the Mekong countries to “strategic partnership”.

The Mekong-Japan leaders also agreed to set forth Mekong-Japan cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mekong-Japan Cooperation, Open and Free Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mekong-Japan Cooperation, the Strategic Economic Cooperation Strategy (AMECS), and Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (AMECS).

Mekong-Japan cooperation and SDGs has transformed "A Decade toward the Green Mekong" Initiative to "the Mekong-Japan Initiative of Sustainable Development Goals Toward 2030”.

Regarding Open and Free Indo-Pacific Strategy, all leaders emphasized the importance of each Mekong country's ongoing efforts to strengthen free and open order based on principle of the rule of law in order to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The Mekong region, which connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, has favorable geography that can benefit from the realization of the Indo-Pacific region. In this regard, the leaders of all Mekong countries welcomed and expressed commitment for Japan's efforts under the "Open and Free Indo-Pacific Strategy".

Mekong leaders also welcomed Japan's aim to attend ACMECS-related meetings.

At the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit, the leaders exchanged their views, for further strong growth and development, mainly on the following three areas: (a) Connectivity, (b) People and (c) Environment. Subsequently, the leaders will formulate new principle for the Mekong-Japan cooperation.

For regional and global issues, the leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintain and promote peace, security and stability in the region, as well as resolving disputes peacefully, including full respect for legal and diplomatic procedures, without resorting to threats or use of force in accordance with international law.

The Mekong-Japan leaders also welcomed the ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the summit between the United States and the North Korea in June as well as the the historical success of the second Inter-Korea summit, which has eased tension not only in the Korean Peninsula, but for the region and the world.

The Mekong-Japan leaders also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and upholding order based on the rule of peace, security, stability and South China Sea freedom of navigation and flight over, and recognized the benefits of the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and prosperity.

The Mekong-Japan leaders also noted concerns of the situation in the South China Sea, including inundation and activities in the region, which led to a decline in trust and confidence, creating potential tensions and damaging peace, security and stability in the region.
=FRESH NEWS