Asean and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas of cyber security, education, trafficking in persons, connectivity as well as the weather forecast system.

This was agreed upon at the Asean-US Ministerial Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, a statement released by the Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat at the Foreign Ministry today says.

NONE"In his statement (at the meeting), Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (left) welcomed the greater, active and more visible engagement of the US in the region, particularly in the economic, education and infrastructure development," the statement said.

Anifah also welcomed the latest initiative by the US to restart direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which have stalled since 2008.

The statement also alluded to US Secretary of State John Kerry's statement during the meeting that the US government placed the highest importance to its relations with Asean and supported Asean economic integration.

"On South China Sea, Secretary Kerry categorically stated that the US, as the resident power of the Pacific, has a strong interest in the manner with which the disputes of the South China Sea are addressed," it said.

Anifah led a Malaysian delegation to the 46th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conference, 20th Asean Regional Forum and 3rd East Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Brunei capital.

More scholarships sought from Australia

At the Asean-Australia Ministerial Meeting, Anifah, in his intervention, encouraged Australia to increase its cooperation in people-to-people linkages through youth exchange programmes, as well as increasing the number of scholarships for Asean students to study in Australia.

"The foreign minister also welcomed the Australia-Malaysia Muslim Exchange Programme, which was announced on Nov 4, 2012, and hoped that similar initiatives
could be expanded for the benefit of youth from other Asean countries," the statement said.

In his intervention at the Asean-India Ministerial Meeting, Anifah stressed the need for India to intensify its engagement with Asean.

The minister also called for a more rigorous implementation of activities and programmes outlined in the Plan of Action to Implement the Asean-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity 2010-2015.

At the Asean-Russia Ministerial Meeting, Anifah suggested several measures to elevate the profile of the Asean Centre in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, into a renowned institution.

They included having more activities that could connect scientists from Russia and Asean in areas such as biotechnology, medicine and space technology.

The centre should also play a facilitative role in promoting engagement between Russian academicians and think-tanks with their Asean counterparts.

- Bernama