Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > December 2013 > First Day of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit and Other Related Events
First Day of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit and Other Related Events
Friday, December 13, 2013
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) member states and held other related events.
First, the Prime Minister attended a special lecture delivered by H.E. Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Memorial Hall of Constitutional Politics, and said in his opening address,
"His Excellency President Yudhoyono, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me first say how sincerely excited I am to have President Yudhoyono here today for this special lecture. Like all of you here, I have been eagerly looking forward to today's special occasion.
Today, I see that many people were able to attend despite their busy schedules. It is not always easy for everyone to assemble, particularly Japanese Diet members when the Diet is in recess. However, there are truly many people in attendance today. I believe everybody wished to show their appreciation for the friendship President Yudhoyono has offered Japan.
This year, I first met with President Yudhoyono when I visited Indonesia during my first overseas visits in January after assuming the position of Prime Minister. And this afternoon, I will be holding a meeting with President Yudhoyono for the third time this year. Through these opportunities, President Yudhoyono and I have held a wide range of discussions on not only the Japan-Indonesia relationship, but also on regional and global issues. I am very pleased that we have been able to share understanding on a variety of issues, including security, as well as deepen personal trust between us, as leaders.
Under the brilliant leadership of President Yudhoyono, Indonesia has achieved political stability and a stable social order, and has witnessed remarkable economic growth. As a democratic power and as a G20 member, Indonesia has also played a significant role in the international community. Japan and Indonesia are strategic partners who share fundamental values, such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as many strategic interests. Japan wishes to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation for the stability and prosperity of the region, and I very much look forward to the President's lecture that will follow.
Finally, let me conclude my remarks by once again extending my sincere welcome to President Yudhoyono."
Following the lecture, the Prime Minister held talks with His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di?Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and then held a joint press announcement at the Prime Minister's Office. In the afternoon, the Prime Minister held talks with H.E. Mr. Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, and then attended a signing ceremony, which was followed by a joint press announcement. Subsequently, the Prime Minister held talks with President Yudhoyono of Indonesia and then held a joint press announcement. Afterwards, the Prime Minister held talks with H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, and then held a joint press announcement.
In the evening, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Abe hosted a welcome dinner banquet at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Prime Minister said in his welcoming address to the leaders,
"Once again, I would like to extend my most sincere welcome to all the leaders of the ten countries of ASEAN.
We share our difficulties and also our compassion with each other. We warm each others' hearts with tears of appreciation, and even in the wake of tragedies we walk forward hand in hand as we acknowledge lessons to be learned, to help coming generations.
The 40 years of friendship between ASEAN and Japan tell us that our relationship has always been of that sort.
Let us pledge to continue to cultivate a relationship into the future as well, in which our hearts touch each other in a deep way.
We are partners that share a vision and identity, and partners that share a future. We jointly seek peace and stability, prosperity, better living in our daily lives, and partnerships bound by heart to heart ties. Forty years from now, I am certain that our children and our grandchildren will nod deeply in acknowledging that ASEAN and Japan have most certainly enjoyed just that kind of relationship. Having visited all of your countries, I am able to state that with confidence."