Maritime security, terrorism, economic and socio-cultural cooperation will be on the agenda of the Prime Minister at the two Summits which will be attended by Heads of State/Government of the 10 ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand) and 18 East Asia Summit participating countries (10 ASEAN nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, US and Russia).
Advertisement
Her four-day visit to the Laotian capital of Vientiane comes amid Pyongyang’s continued provocations, including Monday’s launch of three mid-range ballistic missiles.
Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, as ASEAN Chairman, will preside over the two summits, together with summits between ASEAN and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, the UN, India and the U.S.; the 19 th ASEAN+3 Summit; and the 11 th East Asia Summit; and the 8 th Mekong-Japan Summit. Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russian Federation. They’ll hold a press conference after their summit Tuesday evening.
After agreeing to reinforce strategic communication with Russian Federation and China on the North Korean issue, President Park will sit down with U.S. President Barack Obama soon after she lands in Laos on Tuesday and with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the next day, sending a united message to Pyongyang from all the members of the six-party denuclearization talks. They will also exchange views on regional and worldwide issues of mutual interest and concern. ASEAN is a strategic partner of India since 2012. ASEAN is South Korea’s second-largest trade partner with two-way trade reaching US$119 billion a year ago.
Advertisement
He added that East Asia Summit is the premier forum for discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region.
