The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has renewed its determination to reinforce efforts towards establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015 at the 46 th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-46) and related meetings that have freshly concluded in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh has stated that during an interview he granted to reporters at the end of the AMM-46.
“AMM-46 is a success, manifesting ASEAN’s solidarity and unity, especially in settling sensitive issues, Minh said.
He noted that as of March, 2013, regional countries have fulfilled up to 80 percent of the adopted measures serving the community building.
The Secretary General, however, admitted that there are a lot of things need to be accomplished from now till 2015 as the remaining tasks are tougher, requiring member nations to exert stronger efforts and make higher commitments.
As the bloc has considered what it needs to do after its community is in place, it is mulling over an overhaul of its bodies, including ASEAN Secretariat, to ensure the ASEAN Community will forge high economic competitiveness and develop in an equal, sustainable and fair way.
Turning his attention to the East Sea issue, leader Minh stressed that ASEAN reached a high consensus on dealing with the East Sea issue on the basis of its Six-Point Principles and respect to international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, settling disputes by peaceful means and exercising self-restraint to avoid the use of force in international relations.
He highlighted that the settlement of the East Sea issue in compliance with regulations is not only significant to the maintenance of peace and stability for ASEAN member countries but also for China, which directly involves in the dispute.
The East Sea issue should not only be perceived as a matter of peace and security to the region but also an affair of ensuring maritime security and safety at sea, which have received interests from all countries around the world, said the Secretary General.
He mentioned that ASEAN and China have agreed to continue with dialogues and consultations to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and formulate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea without any delay.
China and ASEAN concurred that their high-ranking officials will convene their meeting this September to discuss how to continue the full and effective implementation of the DOC and officially talk about how to get the COC in place.
As for the stance of ASEAN’s dialogue partners on regional issues, Secretary General Minh said all of them vowed to continue backing the bloc’s efforts to build the Community by 2015.
They have also supported ASEAN’s stance and efforts in settling the East Sea issue with China on the basis of the ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles to guarantee regional security stability and maritime security and safety.
At present, 74 foreign countries have posted their Ambassadors to ASEAN, which show their interest in fortifying cooperation with ASEAN at a time when the bloc needs more support to achieve its Community building by 2015, the ASEAN Secretary General said.-VNA
ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh has stated that during an interview he granted to reporters at the end of the AMM-46.
“AMM-46 is a success, manifesting ASEAN’s solidarity and unity, especially in settling sensitive issues, Minh said.
He noted that as of March, 2013, regional countries have fulfilled up to 80 percent of the adopted measures serving the community building.
The Secretary General, however, admitted that there are a lot of things need to be accomplished from now till 2015 as the remaining tasks are tougher, requiring member nations to exert stronger efforts and make higher commitments.
As the bloc has considered what it needs to do after its community is in place, it is mulling over an overhaul of its bodies, including ASEAN Secretariat, to ensure the ASEAN Community will forge high economic competitiveness and develop in an equal, sustainable and fair way.
Turning his attention to the East Sea issue, leader Minh stressed that ASEAN reached a high consensus on dealing with the East Sea issue on the basis of its Six-Point Principles and respect to international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, settling disputes by peaceful means and exercising self-restraint to avoid the use of force in international relations.
He highlighted that the settlement of the East Sea issue in compliance with regulations is not only significant to the maintenance of peace and stability for ASEAN member countries but also for China, which directly involves in the dispute.
The East Sea issue should not only be perceived as a matter of peace and security to the region but also an affair of ensuring maritime security and safety at sea, which have received interests from all countries around the world, said the Secretary General.
He mentioned that ASEAN and China have agreed to continue with dialogues and consultations to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and formulate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea without any delay.
China and ASEAN concurred that their high-ranking officials will convene their meeting this September to discuss how to continue the full and effective implementation of the DOC and officially talk about how to get the COC in place.
As for the stance of ASEAN’s dialogue partners on regional issues, Secretary General Minh said all of them vowed to continue backing the bloc’s efforts to build the Community by 2015.
They have also supported ASEAN’s stance and efforts in settling the East Sea issue with China on the basis of the ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles to guarantee regional security stability and maritime security and safety.
At present, 74 foreign countries have posted their Ambassadors to ASEAN, which show their interest in fortifying cooperation with ASEAN at a time when the bloc needs more support to achieve its Community building by 2015, the ASEAN Secretary General said.-VNA
