Indonesia highly values Vietnam ’s role and contributions to ASEAN since it joined the bloc in 1995 and especially in 2010 when it is undertaking the role as ASEAN Chair.

Djauhari Oratmangun, Director of the ASEAN Cooperation Department under the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the statement while granting an interview to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Jakarta on July 13 on the occasion of the 15 th anniversary of Vietnam ’s admission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He noted that during the past 15 years, Vietnam had always been an active and responsible member offering important contributions to the bloc’s peace, stability and prosperity.

The current ASEAN, its Charter and roadmap to build the ASEAN Community by 2015 are common achievements of all member countries, including the Vietnamese government and people, he said.

“We have witnessed major changes to ASEAN over the past 15 years, and particularly at the current time when Vietnam takes on the position of ASEAN Chair. With ASEAN’s 2010 theme of “From Vision to Action” as defined by Vietnam, we have really conducted many activities to implement specific plans towards the ASEAN Community in 2015 based on three major pillars: the political-security community, the economic community and the socio-cultural community,” Djauhari said.

Leaders of ASEAN member nations had a successful summit in Hanoi early this year and are looking towards other important meetings in July as well as later this year in Vietnam, he said, adding that those results have shown Vietnam’s good performance as ASEAN Chair.

He said Indonesia will follow Vietnam ’s efforts and successes as it assumes the position in 2011.

Regarding the regional structures, Djauhari said the formation of the ASEAN Community as well as the central role of the association must top the agenda of ASEAN leaders. The formation and implementation of regional cooperation structures, including the East Asia Summit, should be based on the existing mechanism with the participation of other countries like Russia and the US .

However, to improve its position, ASEAN should continue contributing more to addressing current global issues, he concluded./.