MOSCOW, September 25 (RIA Novosti) - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) +3 countries (China, Japan and South Korea) have adopted a joint approach in an agriculture and forest promotion scheme for 2015-2019, the Xinxua news agency reported Thursday, referring to an official statement released after the 14th meeting of ASEAN+3 Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry.
The countries reaffirmed further cooperation on food, forestry and agriculture as the long-term goal of building an East Asian community with ASEAN as the driving force. The countries will also cooperate in tackling the environmental challenges and work on achieving the sustainability of natural resources.
A total of 6.730 tons of rice were stocked under the ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve Agreement, 6,150 tons of which have been sent to Philippines to help recent typhoon victims.
ASEAN+3 countries have discussed future efforts and joint activities in the areas of agricultural research and development, sustainable forest management, climate change adaptation, and food security.
ASEAN+3 cooperation began in 1997 and institutionalized in 1999, when the leaders issued a Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation at their Third ASEAN+3 Summit in Manila. The countries' aim is to further strengthen and deepen common approach in various levels, including agriculture, transport, energy, information technologies in the East Asia region.
ASEAN+3 comprises the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) plus China, Japan, and South Korea.
