President praises AIPA’s role as support mechanism of ASEAN

President Truong Tan Sang (Source: VNA)

President Truong Tan Sang sent a message to the on-going 36th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-36), hailing the AIPA’s role as an important support mechanism of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Following is the full text of the President’s message:

“On behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to the Honorable President, Heads of parliamentary delegations from member states and Observers attending the 36th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-36) held in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of the beautiful country of Malaysia.

“The 36th General Assembly of AIPA takes place at a time of historic significance. After nearly five decades of development since its formation on August 8, 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is about to embark on a new phase of maturity with the expected establishment of the ASEAN Community by December 31, 2015 marking a new milestone in the evolution of ASEAN’s organizational capabilities and reflects a substantial progress in ASEAN’s cooperation and integration illustrated in the development of ASEAN and of each member ASEAN country.

“The creation of ASEAN Community represents the vision of a Southeast Asia of peace, cooperation, and progress. A strong ASEAN Community would help safeguard regional peace critical for the development of each member state, raise the international standing of ASEAN, and reassert the central role of ASEAN in regional integration. A successful ASEAN Community would be an encouragement and a new impetus for cooperation and integration in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific. In this spirit, I hold in high regard the effort of ASEAN member states in support of the on-time implementation of the ASEAN Community roadmap and the ASEAN Community's Post-2015 Vision for a Community of peace and prosperity.

“I also hold in high regard the increased cooperation and legislative synchronization of ASEAN member parliaments for a more comprehensive ASEAN legal framework. The close cooperation and coordination between the Executive and Legislative Branches are critical to the promotion of regional integration and the successful formation of the ASEAN Community. It is my hope that AIPA member parliaments, which are policy-making bodies responsible for legislation and oversight of law enforcement, continue their close cooperation for the prosperous development of each state as well as for peace and prosperity of our peoples, the ultimate goal that the ASEAN Community has been striving for in accordance with the theme of AIPA-36 “Engaging a People-Oriented, People-Centred ASEAN Community Towards Inclusiveness”.

“As a regional inter-parliamentary organization, AIPA has proven itself as an important and effective support mechanism of ASEAN at all levels in the evolution of the ASEAN Community comprising three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. With its enhanced significance, AIPA has been noted as an associated entity in the ASEAN Charter. Leaders of ASEAN and AIPA regularly hold talks to improve the cooperation between executive and legislative bodies. In this spirit, as a proactive and responsible AIPA member parliament, the National Assembly of Vietnam shall keep up its effective cooperation with other AIPA member parliaments for a strong ASEAN Community, raising the international position of ASEAN in the region and in the world.

“I am of strong conviction that with the table chairmanship of the President, the close cooperation of delegates and the thorough preparations of the Parliament of Malaysia, the 36th General Assembly of AIPA will be a success and practically contribute to peace, stability, prosperity, and comprehensive development of ASEAN.

“May the 36th AIPA General Assembly be crowned with success!”.-VNA