BUSAN: THE 25th Asean-Republic of Korea (ROK) Commemorative Summit concluded yesterday with focus on enhancing cooperation in a wide range of areas covering economy, security and socio-culture.
The summit agreed to place natural disaster relief management and climate change issues as a priority for Asean and South Korea.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the two-day summit reassessed ties between the 10-state Asean and South Korea to solidify relations.
Two documents — a Joint Statement on Asean-ROK Commemorative Summit and Plan of Action 2011-2015 — were received at the summit.
Najib said the joint statement served as a guide on areas of focus, especially in economy, security and social-culture.
“The summit emphasised economic and trade relations, as bilateral trade between Asean and South Korea stood at US$135 billion (RM471 billion) last year, up by US$4 billion the year before.”
Najib said there was a high probability of trade volume between the two hitting the US$200 billion target by 2020 as a result of enhanced ties and economic growth.
He said South Korea was important to Asean, having emerged as the fifth biggest investor in the region, adding that the Asean-ROK Business Council could increase the participation of the business community and private sector.
He lauded the Asean-ROK Innovation Centre for facilitating innovative projects.
On geopolitics, Najib said the summit had reiterated its stance for denuclearisation to be strictly adhered to in the Korean Peninsula.
All United Nations resolutions on the matter, he said, must be complied with.
“We hope that all problems or misunderstandings be resolved via discussions,” he said, adding that this was the best method to ensure peace and stability in the region.
The summit, he said, lauded South Korean president Park Geun-hye’s move to set up the East Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative.
At her first face-to-face bilateral meeting with Najib in Seoul on Wednesday, Park had requested for Malaysia to ensure peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula in its capacity as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Najib said Park had positive views of Malaysia’s achievements, as well as the country’s transformation programme.
On climate change and disaster relief management, Najib said the summit had decided the two issues must be given priority by Asean, with the added assistance of South Korea.
“We hope the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management continues to play its role.
“Cooperation is important, as this side of Asia is exposed to risks of natural disasters that can affect economic growth and bring sufferings to the people.”
On the formation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) when Malaysia helms Asean next year, Najib said Malaysia was preparing a checklist.
“We want to list down what the achievements are and what the business community wants that Asean countries have yet to
fulfil.”
Najib, who also attended a leaders’ luncheon and toured a public governance exhibition at the summit, left for Kuala Lumpur yesterday.