Thai PM satisfied with great success in ASEAN Community building

www.chinaview.cn
2009-10-25

HUA HIN, Thailand, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand, upon assuming ASEAN chairmanship, laid down three goals, which have greatly enhanced the ASEAN integration, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Abhisit said the three-laid-down goals included realizing the ASEAN Charter.

"We have operationalized new organs under the Charter. The inauguration of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) two days ago is a highlight and reflects ASEAN's determination to realize a truly-people-centered Community by 2015."

The second goal is to revitalize a people-centered and more integrated ASEAN Community. Connectivity - both physical and of the hearts and minds of the ASEAN peoples - was a key topic of discussion over the last three days, the Thai Prime Minister said.

Abhisit said the third goal is to reinforce human security for all. He said ASEAN member countries have worked together to collectively address the challenges facing the region and peoples. They also join their efforts to deal with global economic and financial crisis, climate change, food and energy security, infectious disease and natural disasters.

"ASEAN's collective voice and views on these issues have been heard on the world stage and reflect the vibrant spirit of cooperation among us and our recognition of our shared destiny", said Abhisit.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

In his closing remarks, Abhisit also said he would like to offer some thoughts on how to embark on a new era of ASEAN cooperation.

He said ASEAN member countries have to make sure that "our meetings produce 'concrete' outcomes to help address pressing issues affecting the well-being of our peoples."

"We have to ensure 'continuity' in our work so that all our decisions will be translated into real actions," Abhisit said.

Finally, he said ASEAN member countries have to ensure that "ASEAN continues to play a 'constructive' role in engaging with our external partners to maintain ASEAN's centrality in the evolving regional architecture."

Highlights for the Summits include the inauguration of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, the adoption of a declaration on climate change to reaffirm ASEAN position in the negotiation under the UN Frameworks Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as the adoption of a declaration on education cooperation to achieve an ASEAN Community.

Vietnam, as the next ASEAN chairmanship, will host the 16th ASEAN Summit in Ho Chi Min City in April 2010 and the 17th ASEAN Summit and Related Summit in Hanoi in October 2010.　

Editor: Mo Hong'e