Cooperation the key to AC readiness

Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu made the statement on January 8 at an ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (ASEAN SOM) in Hanoi, themed ‘Towards the ASEAN Community 2015: The View of Member States’.

Those in attendance included senior government officials and representatives from Vietnam and other ASEAN nations including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Ambassador Tu said the meeting aimed to provide information on preparations for the establishment of the AC by the end of 2015 and to raise each citizen’s awareness about the significance of the AC.

Cambodian Ambassador Hul Phany emphasized the establishment of AC would bring huge benefits to the region such as economic prosperity, free flow of human resources and job employment for member states.

A representative from the Philippines, Dean Jason N.Arriola said although the AC would be established in the near future, ASEAN member nations have realized the need to exert greater efforts on the three fundamental pillars upon which ASEAN has been founded.

Thai Ambassador Panyarak Poolhup said the establishment of the AC would offer bright prospects for Thailand. With solid economic foundation and economic cooperation in the region, ASEAN would promote the Thai economy’s advantages and enhance national competitiveness.

Representatives from ASEAN member nations also highlighted the event and expressed hope that the AC would also open up many opportunities for the citizens of each nation.

At the closing session, Ambassador Tu also urged ASEAN member states to ensure economic growth as it would help the AC play a greater role in the international arena.

He also underscored the importance of  forming a cultural and social community that cares about each other.

The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).