Phnom Penh, (VNA) – A flag-raising ceremony was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 11 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967).

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Thach Du joined other ambassadors from ASEAN member countries and representatives from diplomatic agencies at the event.

Addressing the ceremony, Cambodia’s Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn highlighted ASEAN’s successes in economic development as well as its important role to peace and stability in the region.

ASEAN has put forth initiatives and reaped significant achievements in maintaining regional stability and prosperity, he said, listing the agreement on ASEAN free trade area, the ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN 3 and the East Asia Summit, among others.

The minister expressed his hope that ASEAN will continue to become a community of political connectivity, economic integration and social responsibility.

As an ASEAN member, Cambodia will work to show its responsibility for regional peace, stability and prosperity on the basis of respect for independence and sovereignty, not interfering and agreeing with ASEAN’s decision-making, he said.

Founded in 1967, the 10-member ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The flag raising ceremony on the annual anniversary of ASEAN has become a tradition for all ASEAN member countries, reflecting the respect for the bloc’s common value and commitment to regional people.-VNA
VNA