16th ASEAN Summit opens: Joint actions to realize ASEAN Community
VGP - After more than four decades of existence and development, ASEAN today has become a closely-integrated political and economic entity, an important player in the region and an indispensable partner of major countries and organizations in the world. The Association has entered a new stage of development, steadily moving towards the realization of the ASEAN Community by 2015 and operating on legal foundation as provided for by the ASEAN Charter.
The 16th
The meeting carries an important
mandate of setting forth the directions and appropriate solutions to accelerate
ASEAN integration and enhance its strength in effectively addressing regional
issues as well as global challenges.
After more than four decades of
existence and development, has entered a new stage of development, steadily
moving towards the realization of the ASEAN Community by 2015 and operating on
legal foundation as provided for by the ASEAN Charter. The goal of an ASEAN
Community manifests in itself the Member States’ shared vision, earnest desire
and strong determination.
In his opening speech, Vietnamese PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng emphasized that, the most important thing now is to take resolute and strong joint actions, undertake concrete steps and measures to accomplish the set goals and plans our, harmoniously combining national interests with the common ones of the entire region, thus improving the quality of our “unity in diversity.”
The PM proposed that ASEAN leaders
should give attention to the following five key issues:
First, according to PM Dũng, ASEAN should
finalize the related legal documents, improve and enhance the efficiency of
ASEAN’s new organizational structure and working method. At the same time, the
leaders should provide necessary guidance on the concrete ways and means to
accelerate the effective implementation of our agreements on ASEAN Charter
Community building, wherein it would be important to promote the “culture of
compliance”, strengthen coordination of implementing agencies and the
mobilization of resources.
Second, for
economic recovery and sustainable development, the Vietnamese PM suggested ASEAN
act on three directions: (i) accelerate ASEAN economic integration and work out
a suitable model for sustainable economic development; (ii) enhance East Asian
economic and financial cooperation, wherein ASEAN plays a central role; and
(iii) actively contribute to the common efforts of the international community
through the promotion of global solutions.
PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng addresses the opening
ceremony of the 16th
ASEAN Summit, Hà Nội, April 8, 2010 – Photo:
VGP/Nhật Bắc
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The third issue raised by the Vietnamese PM is to cope with
trans-national issues such as climate change, environmental degradation,
natural disasters and pandemic. “ASEAN should make greater efforts at both
national and regional levels to respond to these challenges, and contribute
actively to the common endeavor of the international community,” stressed the
PM.
The ASEAN leaders plan to consider
and adopt a statement on joint response to climate change, sending out ASEAN’s
strong message on the international negotiation process for an effective
climate change regime.
Fourth, ASEAN should renew efforts to
facilitate dialogue and intensify cooperation on political and security issues;
enhance mutual understanding and trust; accelerate the formulation of norms and
codes of conducts governing relations amongst countries; maximize the
effectiveness and ensure full compliance with existing instruments and
mechanisms designed to promote peace and security in the region such as the
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), Southeast Asia Nuclear
Weapons Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in
the Eastern Sea (DOC), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); and step up
cooperation within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and its partners in
addressing non-traditional security challenges, such as terrorism,
trans-national crime, maritime safety and security, among others.
Finally, apart
from advancing intra-ASEAN integration, the Association should further
consolidate external relations, to mobilize support for ASEAN Community
building and enhance its international role and position. Accordingly, it is
necessary to strengthen ASEAN 1 cooperation, through enhanced dialogues at all
levels, especially at the Leaders’ and Ministers’ levels, and with added
substance and efficiency in the implementation of Plans of Action and Joint
Statements on comprehensive partnership. We should also promote cooperation
through ASEAN-driven frameworks such as ASEAN 3, East Asia Summit (EAS) and
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). At the same time, we should also take proactive
measures to ensure ASEAN’s central role in an evolving regional architecture.
PM Dũng concluded his remarks by
confirming that during its 15 years of ASEAN membership, Việt
“We are fully aware that Việt Nam is an inseparable part of
the ASEAN family and continues to participate in ASEAN cooperation in a
proactive and responsible manner to contribute to building a stronger and more
closely integrated ASEAN,” said the Vietnamese PM.
During its Chairmanship in 2010, Việt
The opening ceremony of the 16th
ASEAN Summit was followed by a plenary session.