(VOVworld) - The 27th ASEAN Summit and related meetings concluded in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday with the signing of a Declaration on the establishment of the ASEAN Community.

Malaysian PM Najib Razak at the press conference (Photo: VNA)

The 2015 ASEAN Chairman, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, in his closing speech, said the establishment of the single community proved that ASEAN could become the most competitive region in Asia-Pacific and have influence on the world stage.

Mr. Najib Razak said ASEAN has developed far beyond expectations and hopes of the founders. He handed over the Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2016 to Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, expressing his hope that under Laos’ Chairmanship, the ASEAN Community will continue to thrive.

During the meetings, ASEAN leaders renewed their commitments to stepping up unity and deepening connectivity in the next decade as envisioned in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 2025 ASEAN Vision.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the area, intensifying mutual trust and understanding, and exercising restraint in deploying activities in the area in conformity with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They agreed to speed up the completion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.