(VOVWORLD) - The most important outcome of the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM 53) was the commendable chairmanship of Vietnam, said Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Chiba Akira on Monday.
 Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Chiba Akira. (Photo: VNA) |
He said that Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu also commended Vietnam’s excellent ASEAN chairmanship.
At AMM 53, Japan reiterated its commitment to establishing a centre in ASEAN for health problems and emerging diseases, pledged 1 million USD for a new ASEAN COVID-19 response fund, and promised to set up loan and investment programs especially tailored for the bloc.
He said the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIF) and Japan's own vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) have many traits in common, such as treasuring the rule of law and freedom of navigation and overflight.