"A people-centered ASEAN is the key to making the association relevant to the public and to the attainment of the objectives of an ASEAN Community," said Indonesia`s Permanent Representative to ASEAN, Ambassador I Gede Ngurah Swajaya here on Thursday.
Speaking after following the first official meeting chaired by Indonesia during its recently-assumed ASEAN Chairmanship, Ambassador Ngurah Swajaya added that ASEAN should also maintain an upward trajectory, although strengthening ASEAN`s internal consolidation is key.
"Deepening economic linkages and connectivity as stipulated in the ASEAN Community Blueprints are also essential," he added, according to a release made available by the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat.
He also praised ASEAN for bringing about great contribution not only to the regional order, but also international cooperation, adding that, "development of an inclusive regional architecture with ASEAN as the driving force is essential to promote regional dynamic equilibrium."
Ambassador Ngurah went on to say that the efforts of promoting a united ASEAN in a community with evolving regional architecture will require ASEAN`s collective voice, assets, diplomatic networks and constructive solution-oriented mindset.
Indonesia officially took over the ASEAN Chairmanship from Viet Nam on 1 January.
Although the ASEAN Charter prescribes that the Chairmanship shall rotate based on the alphabetical order of the English names of the Member States, this year Indonesia succeeds Viet Nam instead of Brunei Darussalam.
Indonesia has made the request for the swap at the 16th ASEAN Summit in April 2009, and the request was unanimously agreed upon by the rest of the member states.
Such swap, as has been assured by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, will not set a precedent. "This is a one-off swap and will not affect the rotation prescribed by the ASEAN Charter," said Dr Surin back in April. "It was done with real necessity," he added.
Indonesia`s theme for its Chairmanship, "ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations," had also been praised by ASEAN Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan, as it reflects Indonesia`s preparedness to be "engaged, proactive and using the ASEAN platform to enhance ASEAN profile in the global arena."
"Indonesia has a weight, an international legitimacy and a global appeal to draw tremendous support and attention from around the world to the ASEAN community building efforts that we are all engaging in now," Dr Surin added.
Cambodia will remain Chair next year, succeeded by Brunei Darussalam in 2013.(*)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
