ASEAN brings about valuable experience for South Asia’s integration process

The success of ASEAN has brought about valuable experience lessons for the promotion of integration in South Asia, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Van Loi told a webinar held by The Diplomatic Society newspaper on January 18.
ASEAN brings about valuable experience for South Asia’s integration process ảnh 1Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Van Loi (Photo: VNA)
Pretoria (VNA) – The success of ASEAN has brought about valuableexperience lessons for the promotion of integration in South Asia, VietnameseAmbassador to South Africa Hoang Van Loi told a webinar held by The DiplomaticSociety newspaper on January 18.

Addressing the discussion themed “Partners in EconomicIntegration and the Asia-Pacific Interdependence,” Loi said that ASEAN has madecontributions to leading Southeast Asia to progress and prosperity and creatingrelations for peace and cooperation with partners in the region and the world.

The bloc has become an important element which plays acentral role in cooperation mechanisms and regional structure in theAsia-Pacific region. The role, position and prestige of the bloc have beenincreased in the eyes of international friends and partners.

ASEAN is currently one of the most dynamic economies in theworld, with an annual average growth rate of 5.2 percent during 2016-2020.

Loi cited analysts’ forecasts as saying that its GDP mayreach 10 trillion USD and become the fourth largest single market by 2030.

The Vietnamese diplomat stated that for ASEAN, unity indiversity is one of the basic principles of operation, and the key pillars ofconnectivity are politics-security, economics and socio-culture.

Peace, stability, solidarity, unity, prosperity andsustainability for the interests of each member and the entire region are thetop target and the foundation of the bloc, Loi said, adding that theassociation must play a central role at any international forums or in workingagendas involved in the region, and cooperation and dialogue in the bloc orwith other countries must rely on mutual trust as well as international law andorder./.
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