VERBATIM TEXT

OPENING REMARKS BY

THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT THE

28^TH ASEAN – JAPAN SUMMIT

1. On behalf of my colleagues, we are honoured to welcome the Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to our first ASEAN – Japan Summit.
2. Congratulations to you for assuming the Office of Prime Minister.
3. And remarkable you were able to defeat some outstanding men. My wife and my daughters are fully supportive of you, and thank you for being present.
4. I know you are busy welcoming President Donald Trump tomorrow, but Japan, of course, plays importance to ASEAN, and we are appreciative of this.
5. You have to fly back late tonight, and we wish you well in this bilateral meeting with the United States.
6. ASEAN and Japan have long been collaborating in trade and investments, and we look forward to enhancing this with you.
7. Now, it is my pleasure to invite Her Excellency Takeichi Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, to deliver your opening remarks.

Thank you.