Vietnam News Agency

ASEAN chief supports establishment of FTA in East Asia

06/15/2006

Tokyo (VNA) - Visiting General Secretary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ong Keng Yong has said that he supports a proposal by Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai to establish a free trade area in East Asia and a regional policy coordinating organisation following the model of the Organisation of Economic and Cooperation Development.

The ASEAN chief made the remark during his talks with the Japanese minister in Tokyo on June 14.

He said that he considered Nikai’s proposal to be a good one and that ASEAN will support the establishment of a regional policy-making organisation through the outline of a roadmap to implement long-term goals.

He also stressed the significance of the promotion of FTA negotiations between ASEAN and Japan in a bid to boost economic integration in East Asia.