ၾကားသူမရွက္..ေျပာေနရသူေတြ ရွက္ေနျပီ သန္းေရႊ

Japan - Malaysia Joint Leaders' Statement "Enhanced Partnership for a New Frontier"
April 19, 2010

1 Introduction

1.1 H.E. Dr. Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister of Japan, and Hon. Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, held a summit meeting in Tokyo on April 19, 2010 on the occasion of the first Official Visit of Prime Minister Najib to Japan.

1.2 Based on the strong ties between the peoples of Japan and Malaysia, which have been greatly strengthened with the implementation of the Look East Policy, the two leaders confirmed that the bilateral relationship was entering a new stage of enhanced partnership.

1.3 In the spirit of cordial and friendly relations, Prime Minister Najib extended his formal invitation for Prime Minister Hatoyama to visit Malaysia. Prime Minister Hatoyama was pleased to accept the invitation and stated that he would like to visit Malaysia at a mutually convenient time in the near future.

1.4 The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promote regional architecture in the East Asia region including the building of an East Asian community with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) being the driving force. Prime Minister Hatoyama highly valued the ASEAN Charter, which amongst others underscores ASEAN's commitment to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance as well as respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Prime Minister Hatoyama also expressed his support for the realization of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

1.5 The two leaders expressed their mutual desire to further enhance bilateral cooperation towards a new frontier, as specified in the following agenda, including practical cooperation toward the realization of the concept of an East Asian community in the future and efforts in the international arena towards global challenges.

2 Cooperation for Peace and Security

2.1 The two leaders acknowledged the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Mindanao and expressed their hope that the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would continue their talks on the peace process. Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed his appreciation for Malaysia's role as facilitator in the peace process. In this regard, the two leaders welcomed the resumption of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) led by Malaysia. Prime Minister Najib expressed his appreciation for Japan's contribution in the area of socio-economic development and through its participation in the International Contact Group (ICG). The two leaders concurred in continuing engagement in the peace process and reconstruction assistance.

2.2 The two leaders expressed their desire to enhance cooperation for promoting the Middle East peace process and to strengthen their efforts to assist the Palestinian people in their nation-building as part of international efforts.

2.3 Prime Minister Najib appreciated Japan's contribution to the Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Centre through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Japan's Program for Human Resources Development in Asia for Peacebuilding. The two leaders shared the view that both sides would continue to promote cooperation in the area of peacebuilding.

2.4 The two leaders recognized the importance of maintaining the safety and security of maritime navigation, especially in the sea lanes of communication (SLOC). In this regard, Prime Minister Hatoyama acknowledged Malaysia's continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation within its maritime areas, including the Strait of Malacca. The two leaders shared concerns over the continuing threat posed by piracy off the coast of Somalia and concurred that the issue should be addressed holistically. The two leaders expressed their intention to further continue to strengthen efforts to ensure safety and security of maritime navigation.

2.5 The two leaders concurred in continuing their close cooperation to achieve global nuclear disarmament in line with their shared goal of attaining a peaceful and safe world without nuclear weapons. The two leaders also concurred in working closely towards achieving a meaningful outcome at the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to be held in New York in May. The two leaders also concurred in further enhancing cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. They underscored the importance of the ratification of international instruments on nuclear safeguard, safety and security in the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

2.6 The two leaders shared the view that both sides would strengthen cooperation in export control. Prime Minister Hatoyama welcomed Malaysia's efforts for establishing a comprehensive export control system.

2.7 The two leaders reaffirmed the need for the early realization of a comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN), especially the Security Council through expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. Prime Minister Najib reiterated Malaysia's support for Japan's permanent membership in the expanded UN Security Council. Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed his deep appreciation for the support.

2.8 The two leaders renewed their strong commitment to the global fight against terrorism, while recognizing the significant progress in this area made by each ASEAN member state as well as the international community. Prime Minister Najib welcomed Japan's assistance to Malaysia in counter-terrorism capacity building, particularly in the area of maritime security. Prime Minister Hatoyama welcomed Malaysia's development of its counter-terrorism capability.

2.9 The two leaders shared concerns over North Korea's development of nuclear and ballistic missile programs and shared the view that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula must be realized in an irreversible and verifiable manner in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 by all the UN Member States. The two leaders urged North Korea to immediately address the security and humanitarian concerns of the international community including the abduction issue.

2.10 The two leaders underscored the importance of national reconciliation in Myanmar and expressed their hope that the holding of general elections in Myanmar this year would be free, fair and inclusive, thus contributing to Myanmar's stability and development.

3 Cooperation for Strengthening Competitiveness and Sustainable Growth

3.1 The two leaders recognized that the long-standing economic ties have formed a substantial part of foundation of the strong Japan-Malaysia relations. Prime Minister Najib appreciated Japan's contribution in the economic development of Malaysia. Prime Minister Hatoyama appreciated Prime Minister Najib's initiative to promote easing of regulation and economic liberalization in order to become a developed nation by 2020 and looked forward to further progress under the New Economic Model. The two leaders expressed their confidence in further improvement in the investment environment in Malaysia and the promotion of partnership between the private sectors of the two countries, including the expansion of investment in Malaysia by Japanese corporations.

3.2 Prime Minister Najib appreciated the investment by Japanese corporations in Islamic finance and Halal industry. The two leaders shared the view that the private sector of both countries could further cooperate in joint ventures in the services and financial sectors and also in new technology sectors such as green technology, renewable energy technology, biotechnology and information and communications technology.

3.3 The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Malaysia for an Economic Partnership, which has led to the expansion of trade and investment between the two countries and the improvement of business environment. The two leaders concurred in continuing to steadily implement the Economic Partnership Agreement, thereby strengthening and enhancing bilateral economic partnership.

3.4 The two leaders acknowledged the importance of promoting policies based on the needs of the business community under public-private partnership.

3.5 Prime Minister Hatoyama cordially welcomed the Malaysian business delegation, which accompanied Prime Minister Najib, and was confident that the delegation would be able to continue and initiate substantive cooperation with Japanese businesses.

3.6 Prime Minister Hatoyama welcomed Malaysia's decision to voluntarily join the group of economies to be assessed on the achievement of the Bogor Goals in 2010. Prime Minister Najib expressed his expectation and support to Japan's chairmanship for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this year. The two leaders looked forward to deepening discussion on the three elements of the APEC 2010 agenda: regional economic integration, new growth strategy, and human security.

3.7 Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed Japan's commitment to continue supporting ASEAN integration efforts towards establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015, including narrowing the development gaps in ASEAN. He also expressed his expectations towards efforts made by the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) in attaining such aspiration. Prime Minister Najib appreciated Prime Minister Hatoyama's initiative for building an East Asian community as a long-term vision through regional cooperation including in the area of economic relations. Towards this end, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of working closely to further promote existing regional frameworks such as ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN+3 and East Asia Summit. The two leaders recognized that the activities of the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism in Japan had been effective in complementing and enhancing cooperation between ASEAN and Japan. The two leaders also expressed their support for the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and appreciated its contribution to regional cooperation by providing useful research and practical policy recommendations.

3.8 Based on the achievements of joint assistance to third countries to date, the two leaders concurred that both sides would identify regions and areas to which both sides attach importance and thereby consider their cooperation that would lead to enhanced South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

3.9 The two leaders affirmed the importance of the bottom up, comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach, which focuses on the protection and empowerment of individuals and communities, in addressing global issues such as sustainable development, infectious diseases, human trafficking and climate change, among others. They shared the view that both sides would cooperate in promoting the approach in international fora such as the UN, APEC and ASEAN in accordance with international agreements subscribed by both countries and the UN Charter.

4 Cooperation for Contribution in the Areas of Environment and Energy

4.1 The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of environment issues, including climate change issues. Recognizing that it is necessary to reach a fair, equitable, and legally binding agreement in addressing climate change, the two leaders confirmed that both sides would cooperate for the success of the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

4.2 Based on the recognition that both countries are important partners for energy security and are aiming at the enhancement of competitiveness and sustainable growth through introduction of green technology, the two leaders concurred in strengthening cooperation in environment and energy. The two leaders announced "Japan-Malaysia Cooperation Initiative for Environment and Energy."

4.3 The two leaders concurred in strengthening cooperation for sustainable forest management and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Prime Minister Najib expressed cooperation for the success of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity hosted by Japan.

5 Cooperation for Human Resources Development and Promotion of People-to-People Exchanges

5.1 The two leaders appreciated the role played by the Look East Policy in human resources development in Malaysia, through education exchanges and capacity building, and the promotion of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. They welcomed efforts to explore new areas of cooperation under the Look East Policy.

5.2 The two leaders welcomed existing exchanges in the field of higher education and shared the view that both sides would continue consultation on the idea of incorporating into Malaysian higher education, where possible, the experience of Japan in the field of engineering.

5.3 The two leaders appreciated that there have been achievements in youth exchanges under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme. They shared the view that both sides would promote people-to-people exchanges at all levels, including youth.

5.4 The two leaders acknowledged that people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Malaysia have been always enhanced through the substantive flow of tourists between both countries. Prime Minister Najib welcomed the designation by Japan of Malaysia as one of the priority markets for the inbound tourism policy. The two leaders also acknowledged that more efforts should be exerted and further steps taken to facilitate the tourists movement between the two countries.

Signed in Tokyo on April 19, 2010

Yukio Hatoyama
Prime Minister of Japan


Dato' Sri Mohd Najib
Prime Minister of Malaysia
http://www.mofa.go.jp/u_news/2/20100419_202312.html