ASEAN-Japan Must Build People Network To Carry Out Int'l Cooperation Projects - M'sian Minister

PUTRAJAYA, March 4 (Bernama) -- ASEAN and Japan have been urged to build a people network, understand and recognise the richness of each country's cultural diversities to carry out international cooperation projects within the region. Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said these special bond should be converted to further enhance the dynamic partnership on how to work, learn, live, think and work together. "I am very confident that all these years of friendship will go a long way in cementing the cordial relations between the host country, JAPAN and all the ASEAN countries in this region," he said the ASEAN-Japan Friendship Association for the 21st Century's executive council meeting delegation dinner here Friday night. Tengku Adnan, who hosted the dinner, also thanked the Japanese government for initiating the Youth Invitation Programme, which has exposed young leaders from the ASEAN region on the Japanese culture, work ethics and traditions through home stay programmes and technical, and social visits. The two-day executive council meeting, which kicked off Friday in Bangi, was launched by Deputy Finance Minister I, Othman Aziz. The Friendship Programme for the 21st Century was envisaged by former Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuhiro Nakasone, in May 1983. -- BERNAMA