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Submitted by ctv_en_4 on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 16:06
The 15th ASEAN Summit opened in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin on October 23 on the theme of “Enhancing Connectivity, Empowering Peoples”.

This is the second ASEAN leaders’ summit held after the ASEAN Charter took effect, opening up a new chapter for regional cooperation and development.

In his opening speech, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva noted that ASEAN has joined hands to overcome regional and global challenges, from the financial-economic crisis to climate change, food security, natural disasters and epidemics.

He said the bloc has reinforced itself as an outward-looking group with the completion of Free Trade Agreements with its key trade partners in the region including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

According to the Thai PM, the bloc’s primary tasks are to increase regional cooperation in all areas, bring the ASEAN Charter to life and work towards an ASEAN Community by 2015.

He said ASEAN should work harder to realize its goal of building a community of action, connectivity and people.

He said as a Community of Action, ASEAN could act decisively and promptly to address internal and external threats and challenges to regional security and people's well-being. By being a Community of Connectivity, goods and people, as well as investments and initiatives, could move across the region without obstacles.

Meanwhile, a Community of People will promote equitable access to human development opportunities, human rights and fundamental freedom, he said.

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