PHNOM PENH - ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) youth leaders'symposium was held?on Thursday, aiming at strengthening and broadening friendly relations between the two sides. ?

Addressing the two-day meeting, Pit Chamnan, secretary of state at Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, praised the close cooperation between ASEAN and Plus 3 countries.

"The symposium is an important opportunity for ASEAN+3 youth leaders to meet and tighten friendship relations because they could be future leaders in their respective countries," he said.

The event was part of a series of activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary of ASEAN+3 Cooperation. It would offer an opportunity for ASEAN+3 youth leaders to discuss and exchange views on ASEAN+3 cooperation in political, security, economic, financial, social and cultural affairs, he added.

They would also discuss the future direction of cooperation between ASEAN and Plus 3 countries.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.