HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei yesterday
underscored the importance of maintaining momentum to strengthen community
building efforts and enhance the engagement with ASEAN dialogue partners.
In the titah delivered during the
plenary session of the 21st ASEAN Summit at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, His Majesty told his counterparts that it is vital to implement the
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) targets by 2015 towards creating a more
lucrative, competitive and stable region.
This will show the commitment to
bring economic prosperity and set a conducive environment for ASEAN to
implement its goals towards great political and social stability, said His
Majesty, adding that ASEAN should ensure the effectiveness of its connectivity.
The monarch observed that ASEAN
continues to benefit from the cooperation with its dialogue partners over the
past decades. He believed that it is timely to review the relationship in order
to enhance the collaboration towards supporting ASEAN's community building
efforts alongside mutual benefit. The summit is a good opportunity to (do
this), he said.
His Majesty recommended a
streamlining of the meetings to focus on more strategic discussions backed by
an efficient secretariat. In this regard, he noted that the continued efforts
undertaken by the ASEAN Secretary-General are crucial.
At the end of the titah, His
Majesty expressed his appreciation of Dr Surin Pitsuwan, who will be completing
his term as the ASEAN Secretary General, for his valuable contribution for the
past five years in promoting ASEAN. His Majesty also expressed his support of
Le Luong Minh as the successor and hoped that he will ensure the realisation of
the ASEAN Community by 2015.
Meanwhile, in another titah
delivered during the summits retreat session, His Majesty commented that ASEAN
has enjoyed peace, security and stability for many years through the role of
driving regional integration and bringing economic prosperity to the region.
ASEAN continues to be confronted
with various challenges such as the on-going territorial disputes; competing
initiatives in the Asia-Pacific; and the challenges in managing the interests
of Dialogue Partners, which in turn called the credibility of ASEAN and its
relevance, said His Majesty.
The monarch called on ASEAN
leaders to show collective leadership and to engage with partners
constructively with the existing mechanisms coupled with their strengths in
assisting ASEAN to achieve its community building efforts. His Majesty further
stated that the member states need to continue taking the lead in setting the
agendas and priorities in the region. These are matters that ASEAN should focus
on and will be continued during the chairmanship, he said, adding that he
counted on the full support from his counterparts to ensure ASEAN's central
role and in addressing the peoples needs.
During the retreat session, he
also expressed deep concern over the Gaza Strip. The conflict should be
resolved peacefully. There is a need to work with the international community
to address the situation urgently and help to find a lasting and durable
solution, he said.
Yesterday saw the launch of the
21st ASEAN Summit at the Peace Palace, where His Majesty joined other ASEAN
leaders for the opening ceremony followed by a plenary session, signing
ceremony on the adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, meeting with
ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and retreat session.
Throughout the summit, His
Majesty will be accompanied by the Second Finance Minister at the Prime
Minister's Office, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Lalia Setia Dato Seri Setia
Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim.
Brunei's delegation also include
the Second Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya
Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, and the Energy Minister at the
Prime Minister's Office, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd)
Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohd Yasmin Hj Umar.
Afterwards, His Majesty and the
Brunei delegation, joined by Brunei's ambassador to Cambodia His Excellency
Shaikh Hj Fadilah Shaikh Hj Ahmad, paid tribute to the late King Norodom
Sihanouk, King Father of Cambodia at the Royal Palace.
His Majesty also conveyed his
deepest condolences on the recent passing of King Father Norodom Sihanouk to
His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia and Her Majesty Queen
Norodom Monineath, the King Mother, prior to signing the condolence book.
The Brunei Times
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