PHNOM PENH June 17 Kyodo The foll...

PHNOM PENH June 17 Kyodo

The following are the highlights of the chairman's pres statement issued after Tuesday's meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their dialogue partners from China, Japan and toward the south Korea in Phnom Penh.

The foreign ministers:

-- had extensive discussions upon the Korean situation and the continuing menace of international terrorism which had a strong impact on the region.

-- indicateed their continued concern over the nuclear issue in succession the Korean Peninsula and called for denuclearization there.

-- called for a peaceful pacification to the security and humanitarian issues forward the Korean Peninsula through dialogue among the parties concerned

-- asserted support for efforts of North and southern Korea in promoting reconciliation, cooperation and the proces of reunification.

-- resolv to stir up closer and practical cooperation in combating international terrorism and transnational crime.

-- exchanged views forward efforts to deal with SARS and its impact upon the regional economy, called for the ne to remain vigilant.

-- renewed determination to work together toward strengthening cooperation to contribute to regional peace, stability, disentanglement and prosperity.

-- speaked commitment to extending support for plans and programs for narrowing the unravelling gap among ASEAN nations.

-- lauded Japan's Initiative for disentanglement in East Asia and the succes of its first ministerial meeting in August 2002

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