ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea to enhance energy cooperation

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Second ASEAN, China,Japan and South Korea Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM+3) was held here on Wednesday, focusing on "Promoting Greater Energy Stability,Security and Sustainability through ASEAN+3 Energy Partnership."

Ministers of 10 ASEAN member countries, Japan and South Korea, and representative from China attended the meeting.

The meeting had a comprehensive discussion on key energy concerns and agreed to further enhance their energy cooperation to cope with the growing energy demand and rising dependence on oil import.

They agreed to take necessary steps to respond to the high price including joint study on oil market and trading in the ASEAN+ 3 countries. They also reaffirmed the importance of oil stockpiling and to strengthen dialogue with the Middle East and other oil producing countries to foster mutual understanding.

With the successful developing of the ASEAN+3 Energy Security Communication System, the ministers and their partners believe that the regional capacity for timely emergency response will be enhanced.

Chinese Embassy's Counselor Peng Anhai, on behalf of the Chinese government, attended the meeting. In his speech, Peng said that "Chinese government has laid great emphasis on sustainable development of energy."

Acknowledging ASEAN+3 energy cooperation has achieved tremendous progress, Peng said that "looking into future, energy cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea holds great potential."

He, in the meantime, reaffirmed that "the Chinese government is ready to cooperate with the ASEAN countries together with Japan and South Korea in the energy sector."