Vietnamese PM Calls For Incorporation Of Asean Blueprint In National Plans

From R. Ravichandran

DA NANG (VIETNAM), Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint should be incorporated into national objectives and development plans to ensure the regional grouping's goals and activities are internalised at the national level, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.

In making the call, Dung said these measures would support and complement the development of each member state and help achieve the blueprint's goals.

Greater efforts should be made and appropriate measures taken to realise the blueprint, he said in his speech at the opening of the Fourth Asean Socio-Cultural Community Council Meeting at the International Convention Palace, here today.

Malaysia is represented by Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

The ASCC Blueprint was adopted by the Asean Leaders at the 14th Asean Summit in March 2009 in Cha-am/Hua Hin, Thailand.

The ASCC Blueprint represents the human dimension of Asean cooperation and upholds Asean commitment to address the region�s aspiration to lift the quality of life of its peoples.

In his speech, Dung also stressed that greater importance should be attached to strengthening coordination among bodies of the socio-cultural pillar, first of all the coordinating role of the ASCC Council.

"This is another important factor in ensuring the effective achievement of the goals of the ASCC, especially those cutting through different sectors, as this pillar relates to many different bodies and cooperation areas," he said.

The ASCC was established following the entry into force of the Asean Charter on Dec 15, 2008. It is responsible, among others, for coordinating the works of the different sectors under its purview and on issues which cut across other Community councils.

ASCC is focused on nurturing the human, cultural and natural resources for sustained development in a harmonious and people-oriented Asean and aims to contribute to realising the Asean Community vision.

The 10-member Asean consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

-- BERNAMA