(VOVWORLD) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrates its 56th anniversary today, August 8. For 56 years ASEAN has promoted solidarity and collective strength in a difficult world, and established a position in the international arena.
 At the ASEAN-flag hoisting ceremony (photo: Van Diep/VNA) |
ASEAN has achieved remarkable results and established itself as a successful regional cooperation model, a community benefiting all people.
Maintaining peace, security, and economic growth
ASEAN’s outstanding achievement over the past 56 years is maintaining peace and security. ASEAN has built trust and cohesion between member states, promoted dialogue and cooperation within and with countries outside the bloc, and promoted a code of conduct in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization has expanded its ability to handle security challenges and minimize the intervention and influence of other countries.
ASEAN has affirmed its role in the region in preventing and managing disputes. ASEAN upholds the principle of abiding by international law in the East Sea. It has taken steps to build trust and develop a code of conduct by signing with China the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) toward building a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). ASEAN promotes dialogue and cooperation on maritime issues to reduce the risk of conflicts and ensure the security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
ASEAN has 10 official members, who agreed in principle last November to the accession of Timor-Leste as the 11th member. ASEAN is gradually gathering all of Southeast Asia into one community. People-to-people exchanges and connections have been strengthened, and ASEAN citizens can move freely in the region without a visa.
The ASEAN Economic Community has been expanded to include more trade partners. ASEAN has signed bilateral Free Trade Agreements with Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, and India, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. It is negotiating an FTA with Canada, and considering FTAs with other trade blocs such as the EU.
In a gloomy global economy, ASEAN is a bright spot of growth and an attractive investment destination. Its growth is forecast to be 4.7% this year and 5% next year, far exceeding the world average.
 The 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 56) (photo: VNA) |
ASEAN – a center of peace, cooperation, and development
In recent years ASEAN’s status and role have been growing. World powers respect and highly value ASEAN’s centrality, and have made tightening ties with ASEAN one of their priorities.
At the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia officially joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Panama, Spain, and Mexico are preparing to join TAC in September. TAC, with 51 members, has become a foundation for relations in the region. Countries wishing to join TAC proves the Treaty’s value and vitality, as well as ASEAN's success in spreading a code of conduct.
All partners acknowledge ASEAN's centrality in regional processes and have made a commitment to support an ASEAN Community. In global and regional issues, ASEAN harmonizes different views and despite differences, ASEAN is still the central force in all efforts toward peace and sustainability. Amidst global geopolitical fluctuations, ASEAN understands that peace can only be achieved when all nations share a determination to build healthy, stable relations and agree to cooperate.