Malaysia's focus on three areas at ASEAN Plus Three Summit

Malaysia's focus during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit was on three areas, namely the impact of the global financial and economic slowdown in the East Asia region, closer cooperation to promote regional connectivity and trilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said under the East Asia Summit (EAS), the leaders shared their views on regional security policies and initiatives, countering violent extremism, sustainable economic growth and financial stability, as well as irregular movement of migrants and trafficking in persons.

"We adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the EAS which focuses on strengthening the EAS as a leaders-led forum," he told a press conference in concluding the 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here on Sunday.

Apart from the summits, Najib said the ASEAN and Plus Three Leaders also had an interface session with representatives of the East Asia Business Council on Saturday.

During the session, he said both parties discussed promoting trade and investments in the East Asia region with particular focus on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and socialising the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The Prime Minister also said it was decided to extend negotiations on the remaining issues within the RCEP for resolution next year.

The RCEP negotiations involved the 10 ASEAN member states plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand and began in November 2012 with an earlier expectation of conclusion by year-end.

Potentially the world's largest free trade agreement, the combined economies of the RCEP, would account for almost 30 per cent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP).

READ: Global community recognises Malaysia's substantive contribution to ASEAN - Najib