NAY PYI TAW, Nov. 13  -- Southeast Asian countries said here Thursday that they welcomed the four-point principled agreement reached by China and Japan recently.

In a chairman's statement issued after the 17th leaders' meeting between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and China, ASEAN said it fully understands China's view that the correct attitude towards history is significant for the improvement of relations among the relevant countries and maintaining the peace and stability in this region.

ASEAN said it welcomed the measures to be taken on handling the territorial dispute and called upon the relevant countries to resolve the dispute by peaceful means through consultations and negotiations.

China and Japan reached a four-point agreement on Nov. 7 to improve bilateral ties, agreeing to resume political, diplomatic and security dialogue while acknowledging different positions on the Diaoyu Islands.

President U Thein Sein of Myanmar, which holds the rotating chair of the ASEAN this year, presided over the 17th ASEAN-China leaders' meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, which was attended by leaders of all other ASEAN countries and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.