Lawmakers, academics and government officials from the DPP and Japanese Diet Consultative Council yesterday convened a seminar in Taipei to discuss post-Iraq war issues and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and the mutual cooperation between DPP and Japan's political parties.
Addressing the opening speech of the seminar, President Chen Shui-bian (
"Because Japan and Taiwan share common interests and challenges [including] economy and security issues due to geographic proximities, it is of greater importance for the two sides to strive for better regional security through party cooperation," Chen said.
Chen said the recent missile tests by North Korea and China's growing military expansion had created threats to Asia-Pacific regional security,. He urged the inclusion of Taiwan in the future establishment of a security mechanism in the region led by the US, South Korea and Japan.
The 12-member delegation from the Diet is led by Taro Aso (麻生太郎), a prominent legislator from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
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