ASEAN Summit opens in Manila

ASEAN leaders at the opening ceremony of the 27th ASEAN Summit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: VGP

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Malaysian PM Najib Tun Abdul Razak stressed that this is a historic moment for the ten nation association.

The declaration on the establishment of the ASEA Community will mark the “culmination of a decades-long effort to integrate, to cohere and to forge ahead together,” “day that we have all been waiting for.”

ASEAN have maintained the high ambitions set for themselves in the three community blueprints – economic, political-security, and socio-cultural.

He noted that ASEAN growth has been impressive and the bloc is increasingly seen not only as integral to the global economic and security architecture, but also as a region of tremendous opportunity.

The host leader said “this is ASEAN’s time – this is our time. ASEAN can and should play a major role in shaping this Asian century, and work with our partners across the continents to shape a world of prosperity, peace and openness.”

PM Najib called on ASEAN to act more as ASEAN internationally, in a way that makes it plain that together ASEAN is far stronger than as individual nations, and that others around the world recognize and respect the bloc’s rise and what the bloc has achieved so far.

“That includes maintaining peace, security and stability” in the East Sea, the Malaysian PM stated.

PM Najib stressed the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He called on all parties to exercise self-restraint, and avoid actions that would complicate or escalate tension./.

By Thuy Dung