Vietnam has made positive contributions in the development of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) as well as for AIPA’s role in various political, economic and social-cultural activities, said a diplomat of Indonesia , which is one of ASEAN’s founding members.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Pitono Purnomo, made the remarks in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the occasion of AIPA 31 General Assembly which is being held in Hanoi.

He said under the theme “Solidarity for the Sustainable Development of the ASEAN Community” for the 31 st AIPA meeting, Vietnam has put forth initiatives and ideas to revitalise AIPA and establish political, economic and social committees and dialogue with observers to discuss various issues of mutual concerns of AIPA members.

The diplomat stressed that AIPA is very important in providing the checks and balances in terms of attainment of ASEAN’s goals and in its statute, it aims to contribute to the implementation of purpose and desires of ASEAN through inter-parliamentary cooperation.

In line with this, an ASEAN lawmaking body is needed to enhance its critical role as an effective representation of the people’s voices in addressing the regional and international issues of common concern to ASEAN countries, the ambassador told the VNA.

He noted that as the representative of the ASEAN people, AIPA should also play its vital role in conveying people’s voices for the successful implementation of the ASEAN Community in 2015 and ASEAN Charter.

“AIPA should bring the information of ASEAN’s development and success to every single person in the group,” Ambassador Purnomo said.

He underlined the importance for AIPA and ASEAN countries to hold regular dialogue for disseminating ASEAN’s measures, challenges and progress to the populations of ASEAN member countries for their readiness to benefit and cope with the impacts of the ASEAN Community in the years to come.

The diplomat noted that through their function, AIPA members may devise national legislation to support the implementation of the ASEAN agreement as well as communicate for gaining consensus in ASEAN and in every single person in the group.

He affirmed his country’s support of Vietnam ’s AIPA Chairmanship, saying the attendance of the Indonesian Parliament’s Chairman at the AIPA meeting and ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in last April is a reflection of the Indonesian Parliament’s commitment to AIPA as one of ASEAN’s most important entities.

The Ambassador affirmed that the Indonesian Parliament is ready to participate in discussing and exchanging views with AIPA committees and talking about issues of mutual concerns of ASEAN.

He pledged that the Indonesian Parliament will work with the National Assembly of Vietnam and other AIPA members for the success of the 31 st AIPA meeting./.