PM active at ASEAN Summit

Addressing the opening ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said the summit was proceeding in the context of the bloc’s great achievements over the past 45 years, particularly those in building the ASEAN Community.

Cambodian PM Samdech Hun Sen

Hun Sen, who is also the rotating chair of ASEAN in 2012, said top priority should be given to building an ASEAN Community by 2015.

"We should continue to exert our efforts in finalising a comprehensive legal framework in line with the ASEAN Charter in order to improve the operational efficiency of ASEAN institutions and processes," he said.

The Cambodian PM also stressed the need to maintain regional peace and security if the region is to see prosperity and inclusive growth.

In his speech presented at the summit, PM Dung called on ASEAN member states to make greater efforts to share a common voice in major issues of regional and international concern, thereby raising the bloc’s profile on the international stage.

He thanked ASEAN state leaders for approving Vietnam’s nominee, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh, to ASEAN Secretary-General for the 2013-2017 period. 

Dung said he is confident that Minh will build upon the accomplishments of present ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan in improving the effectiveness of ASEAN’s operation. 

He reminded other leaders that ASEAN has reaped an array of positives in the course of building its common community, citing the fulfilment of 72 percent of set targets for the shaping of an ASEAN Economic Community. This will eventually serve as an important pillar supporting the ASEAN community. 

However, Dung said, there remain challenges before the job is done. 

PM Dung proposed ASEAN maintain its solidarity and defend its central role when settling issues concerning its interests and cooperation - an important condition for the successful construction of an ASEAN community by 2015.

The bloc also needs to push on with its Community building roadmap during the 2009-2015 period and accelerate the implementation of free trade agreements with partners before talks commence on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. 

Focus is required to narrow the development gap in the bloc, stimulate equal and sustainable development, and improve the region’s competitiveness, he said.

He urged ASEAN to use its leadership role to enhance dialogues, build trust, share code of conduct standards, and deploy political and security cooperation tools including the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and ASEAN’s six-point principle on the East Sea.

PM Dung underlined the need to create a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea and strengthen the bloc’s cooperation in dealing with emerging and non-traditional security issues like terrorism, trans-national crimes, water resource security, security, and maritime safety.

Cultivating an ASEAN Social-Cultural Community will require prioritising the promotion of equal development, maintenance of social security, as well as environmental protection, and effective response to climate change and management of natural and human-made disasters, he said. 

He proposed that ASEAN should boost joint efforts to improve social welfare and services for vulnerable groups in 2013 and work together to organise ASEAN relief aid exercises. These will be added to the ASEAN Action Plan on Climate Change Response.

PM Dung welcomed ASEAN’s adoption of an ASEAN Statement on Human Rights, the first political document of the group that seeks to enhance human rights cooperation in the region. It will adhere to ASEAN Charter’s goals and principles and contribute to making the people-centred ASEAN community a reality. 

He urged the leaders of ASEAN member countries to issue specific instructions on ASEAN connectivity since only 37 percent of the set targets have so far been fulfilled.

Dung proposed mobilising both internal and external resources to realise the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, designed to link not only materials and infrastructure but also institutions and people.

In his speech, the PM welcomed and praised the organisation of ASEAN’s global dialogue in anticipation of the Summit, describing it as an opportunity for the bloc to attract international financial support that can be invested in accomplishing crucial regional integration goals.

He congratulated Brunei on taking Chair of ASEAN in 2013 and pledged to work closely with the country for the success of its chairmanship. 

** On the sideline of the summit, PM Dung met with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong who affirmed Singapore and Vietnam will soon sign a declaration on the establishment of a strategic partnership.

Lee confirmed he will soon pay an official visit to Vietnam and said he is pleased that Vietnam has actively participated in the negotiation for a Transpacific Partnership (TTP) Agreement and pledged Singapore’s support throughout the process.

The Singaporean leader also took the opportunity to invite PM Dung to attend the Shangri La Dialogue hosted by Singapore in 2013.

Both PMs said they are pleased with the development of the relationship between the two countries and agreed to work closely together to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2013.

Regarding regional and international issues, PM Dung and PM Lee stressed the need to maintain peace and stability in the region.

ASEAN member nations should embrace solidarity and address territorial disputes with a united approach based on ASEAN’s six-point principle on the East Sea, they said.

They also propose ASEAN member nations should strictly comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards building a Code of Conduct (COC) on the East Sea between ASEAN and China.