Ministers take photo at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (Photo VNA) Singapore (VNA) – Singapore, whichchairs ASEAN this year, has proposed leaders of member states adopt a visionstatement at their April summit in Singapore to build an open, transparent,inclusive and rules-based regional architecture.
A draft document envisioned by Singapore withthe title “ASEAN Leaders’ Vision for a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN” waspresented to ASEAN foreign ministers at their two-day meeting concluded onFebruary 6.
It contains 10 key principles, including “unityand centrality”, “rules-based order” and “embrace technology” along with morethan 30 priority areas to which leaders will pledge their focus.
The priorities range from forging an ASEANextradition treaty to combat transnational crimes, to concluding with China aCode of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, to establishing an ASEAN smart citiesnetwork and taking initiatives to tackle terrorism and radicalisation.
Ticking off a list of challenges facing ASEAN,such as growing uncertainties in the global strategic landscape, violentextremism, climate change and maritime issues, the seven-page document seeks anASEAN that is able to "navigate these challenges in a coordinated, integratedand effective manner."
The draft document also reaffirms ASEAN'sprinciple of consensus for decision-making and says ASEAN will maintain itslong-standing "principle of non-interference in the internal affairs"of member countries.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA
VNA
