The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will stand fast in the face of difficulties to attain its goal of building an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Southeast Asia Friendship Association made the remarks during a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2 to mark the 46 th founding anniversary of ASEAN.

The chairwoman underlined the important role played by the association in maintaining peace, stability and development in the region, saying that it serves as a force to further promote dialogue, cooperation and connectivity within the group’s member countries as well as expand cooperation in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific.

ASEAN is also seen as a large and potential market, Xuan said, adding that the bloc will continue to implement its targets towards a future ASEAN Community.

On behalf of the representative offices of ASEAN member states in the city, Laos’ Consul General Southideth Phommalat reviewed the association’s achievements over the past 46 years.

He said ASEAN’s establishment aimed to protect peace and foster cooperation in politics, security, economics, culture and social affairs in the region in line with the principles of respecting independence, sovereignty, equality and the national character of member countries.

It remains steadfast in its principles to solve all issues in a peaceful manner without interfering in the countries’ internal affairs, the consul general noted.

Southideth Phommalat expressed his hope that ASEAN member countries will reap greater achievements and stronger development in the future, while upholding its central role in expanding and deepening relations with its counterparts and dialogue parties for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will stand fast in the face of difficulties to attain its goal of building an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Southeast Asia Friendship Association made the remarks during a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2 to mark the 46 th founding anniversary of ASEAN.

The chairwoman underlined the important role played by the association in maintaining peace, stability and development in the region, saying that it serves as a force to further promote dialogue, cooperation and connectivity within the group’s member countries as well as expand cooperation in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific.

ASEAN is also seen as a large and potential market, Xuan said, adding that the bloc will continue to implement its targets towards a future ASEAN Community.

On behalf of the representative offices of ASEAN member states in the city, Laos’ Consul General Southideth Phommalat reviewed the association’s achievements over the past 46 years.

He said ASEAN’s establishment aimed to protect peace and foster cooperation in politics, security, economics, culture and social affairs in the region in line with the principles of respecting independence, sovereignty, equality and the national character of member countries.

It remains steadfast in its principles to solve all issues in a peaceful manner without interfering in the countries’ internal affairs, the consul general noted.

Southideth Phommalat expressed his hope that ASEAN member countries will reap greater achievements and stronger development in the future, while upholding its central role in expanding and deepening relations with its counterparts and dialogue parties for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.VNA