Culture
key to build ASEAN community: Indonesian minister
In the process of building the ASEAN
Community, culture can play a crucial role, an Indonesian minister said here on
Thursday.
"Culture is ASEAN's common language.
ASEAN countries share many similarities though differences remain. Mutual
respect and understanding is the key to narrowing differences and realizing the
goal of building an ASEAN community by 2015," said Marie Elka Pangestu,
the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Industry at the press briefing
on the underway ASEAN Fair, a cultural exhibition organized in commemoration of
the 19th ASEAN Summit.
She said the ASEAN Fair was aimed to show the
rich heritage of cultures of the ASEAN states and advance cultural exchanges
within the region.
The ASEAN Fair was initiated by the Indonesian
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the first ever of its kind in ASEAN
history. It has attracted about 40,000 visitors up to now, 30 percent of them
are foreigners.
"We recognize that the socio-cultural
pillar of the ASEAN community needs a bit of uplifting including an outreach
activity to the public because the vision of ASEAN is really a people- centric
ASEAN," she said.
"ASEAN summit should not be just a
gathering of senior officials, but should be more engaged with the
people," she added.
In 2003, ASEAN leaders co-signed a joint
declaration on ASEAN cooperation, or the Bali Concord II, approving the
institution of ASEAN Community and its completion by 2020, which was however
speeded up to 2015. The ASEAN Community will also be constituted by three
correlated pillars: security community, economic community and socio-cultural
community.
ASEAN
to act in unison in global matters: Indonesian FM
The ASEAN leaders adopted the Bali Declaration
on ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations, or the Bali Concord III
here on Thursday, which, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty M. Natalegawa said,
would help ASEAN to act in unison in global matters.
"We have discussed at the session a broad
range of issues. We have discussed regional connectivity, the implementation of
the ASEAN Charter, the role of ASEAN, and exchanged views regarding
international and regional issues," said Marty M. Natalegawa at a press
briefing after the signing ceremony.
"Our main result is the Bali Concord III.
The signing of the Concord was the start of a process where ASEAN will play an
increased role at the global level. For the next ten years, there will be
concrete actions and measures so that ASEAN can act in unison in global
matters," he said.
"We are getting where we want to
be," he added.
Earlier in the day, Indonesian President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in his opening speech that the spirit of Bali
Concord III is to have greater participation and contribution of ASEAN to
achieve a more peaceful, just, democratic and prosperous world.
The Concord is part of three key outcome
documents adopted Thursday that also included the Agreement of the
Establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on
Disaster Management (AHA Center) adopted by ASEAN Foreign Ministers, and the
ASEAN Declaration on Unity in Diversity: Towards Strengthening the ASEAN
Community adopted by ASEAN Ministers for Cultural Affairs.
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southeast Asia, known as the Bali Concord I, was adopted in 1976, which
established the rules for how member states shall engage with each other,
especially agreeing not to use violence and solve disputes through peaceful
means.
The Bali Concord II was adopted in 2003 that
approved the institution of ASEAN Community and its completion by 2020, which
was later speeded up to 2015. The ASEAN Community will consist of three
correlated pillars, including the Security Community, Economic Community and
Socio-Cultural Community.
ASEAN
leaders gear up Community building
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) leaders adopted the Bali Declaration on ASEAN Community in a Global
Community of Nations, or the Bali Concord III here on Thursday, which,
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty M. Natalegawa said, would help ASEAN act in
unison in global matters.
"We have discussed at the session a broad
range of issues. We have discussed regional connectivity, the implementation of
the ASEAN Charter, the role of ASEAN, and exchanged views regarding
international and regional issues," said Marty M. Natalegawa at a press
briefing after the signing ceremony.
"Our main result is the Bali Concord III.
The signing of the Concord was the start of a process where ASEAN will play an
increased role at the global level. For the next ten years, there will be
concrete actions and measures so that ASEAN can act in unison in global
matters," he said.
"We are getting where we want to
be," he added.
In the Concord, ASEAN leaders affirmed their
commitment to adopt a more coordinated, cohesive and coherent ASEAN position on
global issues of common interest and concern which would further raise ASEAN's
common voice in relevant multilateral fora, and to develop an enhanced ASEAN
capacity to contribute and respond to key global issues of common interest
which would benefit all ASEAN member states and its peoples.
The ASEAN leaders also affirmed their pledge
to bring the ASEAN common platform on global issues into reality by 2020. For
this purpose, concerned Ministers will be tasked to follow up and implement the
Concord with the coordinating role of the ASEAN Coordinating Council, supported
by the concerned sectoral ASEAN senior officials, the Committee of Permanent
Representatives to ASEAN, and a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat.
The Concord is part of three key outcome
documents adopted Thursday that also included the Agreement of the
Establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on
Disaster Management (AHA Center) adopted by ASEAN Foreign Ministers, and the
ASEAN Declaration on Unity in Diversity -- Towards Strengthening the ASEAN
Community adopted by ASEAN Ministers for Cultural Affairs.
Earlier in the day, the Indonesian President
Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened the 19th ASEAN Summit with an inaugural
speech.
In the speech, the president showed
condolences for the major floods that have befallen a number of ASEAN member
states, and said the assistance and support extended to victims was solid
indication of solidarity among ASEAN countries.
"We gather here today while the world is
facing a process of changes that may have widespread impacts on humanity.. In
addition to new uncertainties casting a cloud on the world economy, the world
continues to be faced with fundamental problems and challenges," Yodhoyono
said.
"Amidst these uncertainties, a lot of
hope is pinned onto our region. History has tested and proven that ASEAN
continues to mature as an association able to create stability and security in
the region, elevate its economic strength as well as becoming an increasingly
people-centered community," he added.
"I believe ASEAN will be able to
contribute in responding to these diverse global dynamics," he stressed.
The president also underlined five main points
to be addressed in the coming days, including taking concrete steps to
strengthen the three pillars of the ASEAN Community and implement the relevant
action plans, fostering economic growth to make ASEAN region more resilient to
global volatility, taking on a leading role in designing a more efficient and
effective architecture of regional cooperation, maintaining the stability and
security of the Southeast Asian and East Asian region, strengthening the role
ASEAN globally.
The 19th ASEAN Summit with the theme of
"ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations" kicked off on
Thursday, gathering heads of state or government from 10 ASEAN member states.
The 14th ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN Plus One
Summits and 6th East Asia Summit will be held in the coming two days in Nusa
Dua Bali, Indonesia.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
Chinese
premier meets Indonesian president on ASEAN related summits
China and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations agreed that the upcoming ASEAN summits and its partners should not
focus on disputed political and security issues.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indonesian
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made the remarks during their meeting after
Wen's arrival in Bali, a tourist resort in Indonesia, which currently holds the
ASEAN rotating presidency, on Thursday.
"In such a complicated and serious
international political and economic situation, the upcoming summits should
highlight the theme of unity, development and cooperation," said Wen,
referring to the 14th summit between China and the ASEAN (10+1) as well as the
14th summit between ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (10+3)
and the sixth East Asia Summit scheduled for Nov. 17-21.
Wen stressed that the meetings should uphold
the leading role of ASEAN, strengthen the cohesion and motive power of the
mechanisms of 10+3 and 10+1,and avoid all interference so as to make the
meetings advance towards a fixed direction and goals.
"It is of great importance for east Asia
to realize sustainable economic development, improve people's livelihood and
maintain stability," Wen said.
The premier said he hoped new members of the
east Asian summit would inject new vitality into the east Asian cooperation. He
also called on the summit, a strategic forum led by state leaders, to continue
to proceed in the selected direction and cooperation areas, and to play a
positive role in promoting regional economic and social development as well as
maintaining the momentum of peaceful cooperation.
Wen's remarks were echoed by the Indonesian
president, who said east Asia should shoulder the responsibility of promoting
regional and world economic growth and become a driving force in the face of
the global economic difficulties.
All members of the east Asian summit need to
stick to the summit's principles and make joint efforts to maintain the overall
situation of peace and cooperation so as to ensure that the summit will advance
in the right direction, he said.
The president said ASEAN is not in favor of
discussions on specific political and security issues at the summit.
Wen and the president also discussed the
China-Indonesia relationship and pledged to make joint efforts for its further
development.
Wen said China attached great importance to
the infrastructure construction and industrial development of Indonesia's six
economic corridors, and will encourage Chinese financial institutes to provide
financial supports.
He also called on the two countries to further
expand cooperation in areas of oil and natural gas, coal, electric power, new
energy and renewable energy.
The two countries should establish a joint
committee on maritime cooperation at an early date and strengthen cooperation
with their maritime cooperation funds, he said.
The premier pledged that China will make close
coordination with Indonesia to jointly promote east Asian cooperation and the
China-Indonesia strategic partnership.
Appreciating China's support for the
construction of its six economic corridors, Yudhoyono pledged concerted efforts
with China to promote cooperation in energy, industry, defense as well as in
the maritime area.
The Chinese premier arrived here Thursday to
attend a series of meetings for East Asian leaders.
Wen will attend the 14th summit between China
and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), commemorating the 20th
anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue, as well as the 14th summit between ASEAN,
China, Japan and South Korea and the sixth East Asia Summit.
Launched in 2005, the 18-member east Asian
summit, includes ten ASEAN countries, China, Japan, ROK, India, Australia, New
Zealand, Russia and the United States.
Backgrounder:
ASEAN Plus Three cooperation
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the
14th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three in
the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Friday.
The ASEAN Plus Three (APT) refers to a
regional process involving the ten ASEAN countries and three Northeast Asian
countries including China, Japan, and South Korea.
As suggested by its name, this emerging
regional process is driven by the ASEAN, which was founded in 1967.
APT meetings take place around the annual
ASEAN meetings, where leaders of ASEAN members, namely Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and
Cambodia, will meet with their counterparts from the three countries.
The first APT summit was held in Kuala Lumpur
in December 1997, coming at a very important time when all countries in the
region were facing an economic setback. The financial crisis was regarded as
having provided the impetus for this summit.
Nowadays, the APT has developed into one of
the most important mechanisms aiming at strengthening and deepening East Asia
cooperation at various levels and in various areas, particularly in economic,
social and political areas.
There are 65 mechanisms, including 1 summit,
17 ministerial, 23 Senior Officials, 1 Directors General, 17 technical level
meetings and 6 other track meetings, coordinating APT cooperation.
Along with the implementation of APT, the
ASEAN also set up dialogue with China, Japan and South Korea respectively.
Also on Friday, Premier Wen will attend the
14th ASEAN Plus One summit.
Within the framework of ASEAN plus one, great
emphasis has been put on cooperation in the sectors of agriculture and the
information and communication industry, human resources development, mutual
investment and the development of the Mekong River Basin.
Luo Yuan
Xinhua
Business & Investment Opportunities
