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Lanka seeks Japanese support for ASEAN, APEC partnership

by Manjula Fernando

Sri Lanka has sought Japanese support to be the dialogue partner for Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and also to be member of Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC).

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando during their meetings with visiting Japanese FM Yoriko Kawaguchi on Monday informed about Sri Lanka's intentions to be the partners of these two vital economic gatherings in the Asia Pacific Region, Diplomatic sources said. The Foreign Minister during his one and half hour meeting has told the Japanese delegation led by Ms.Kawaguchi that Sri Lanka has already informed the ASEAN members in a bid to seek their assistance to become a dialogue partner.

ASEAN which was formed in August 1967 provided an opportunity to Sri Lanka to become a founder member but the offer was not accepted at the time. According to sources the ten member economic gathering is now considering enlarging its membership with strict guidelines.

Its current membership consists of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

The 21 member APEC body consists of leading economies such as USA, Canada, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand. The other members are Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Russia, Hong Kong, Brunei, Chile, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

APEC has played an important role in promoting trade and investment liberalisation in the region. As a result APEC markets are more open today creating new opportunities for business and employment for member nations.

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