President Park Geun-hye arrived in Laos on Tuesday to attend a series of summits with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where she is expected to call for stronger worldwide unity against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
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Jokowi encouraged stronger economic partnerships within the region, and emphasized that the gaps between the ASEAN countries’ levels of development should be minimized to reach progress, in particular, market extension and technical development.
Apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russian Federation.
He also said, India’s ties with the countries of South East Asia are truly historic and country’s engagement and approach can be best encapsulated in just one word – connectivity.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib is also scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Vietnam and Prime Minister of New Zealand to discuss on issues of mutual concern.
Asean leaders started their Summit here Tuesday, eager to show to the world that despite challenges that could derail their unity, they remained united.
Photo taken on November 22, 2015, shows President Park Geun-hye (left) attending the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
ASEAN is a strategic partner of India since 2012.
State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attends a meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Vientiane, Laos July 25, 2016.
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.
Trade between India and ASEAN stood at $ 65.04 billion in 2015-16 and comprises 10.12% of India’s total trade with the world.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thongloun also mentioned that while ASEAN has continued to strengthen its internal cooperation, the bloc will strive to expand relations with its external partners.
The EAS is the premier leaders-led forum in the Asia-Pacific.
Modi will be attending the annual India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) annual summit on September 7 and the East Asia summit on September 8.
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“During the summit, the leaders will also issue a Joint Leaders Statement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)”.
