Hanoi (VNA) – Member states with diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka held a ceremony on August 21 evening to mark the 59th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967–2026), combined with the opening of an ASEAN food week.
Speaking at the ceremony in her capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Colombo, Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam stressed that the bloc has now become a strong community of 11 members, with a combined GDP of 3.8 trillion USD, making it the world’s fifth-largest economy. It also plays a central role in the regional architecture through ASEAN-led mechanisms and an extensive network of partners.
The diplomat noted that ASEAN-Sri Lanka collaboration has made significant progress, particularly through the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s participation in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum in the Philippines demonstrated the country’s strong commitment to dialogue and ASEAN-led regional cooperation. Sri Lanka is actively expressing its interest in becoming an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, reflecting its strategic vision of forging deeper links with the Southeast Asian community.
Tam said the bloc’s embassies in Sri Lanka have actively promoted ties with the country through a wide range of activities in culture, tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath expressed his pleasure at and appreciation for the bloc’s increasingly important role in the region’s security and economic architecture.
The minister affirmed that the country has always valued its friendship with Southeast Asian countries and regards ASEAN as a strategic partner in its foreign policy.
He reaffirmed the Sri Lankan Government’s commitment to continuing close coordination with ASEAN member states to further deepen ties in trade, investment, tourism and, particularly, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Herath welcomed initiatives such as the ASEAN food week, saying that the bloc’s rich cultural and culinary diversity, combined with Sri Lanka’s abundant heritage, offers considerable potential for further promoting tourism cooperation and people-to-people ties.
The cultural programme takes place from August 21-23, bringing together chefs and culinary specialities from five ASEAN member states with diplomatic missions in Colombo, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam./.
VNA
