ASEAN`s strength did not lie in military projections but in its capacity for dialogue, cooperation and problem solving, and the capacity to turn potential conflict into actual cooperation, the president said when giving a lecture on the 44th anniversary of ASEAN here on Monday.
"That is why, ASEAN has the responsibility to be an ASEAN Community in a global community of nations. An ASEAN that is a net contributor to the promotion of peace, and to the cause of disarmament," he said.
The president also said ASEAN as a net contributor to the solution of the systemic problems of the world, especially the
reality of climate change, and the challenge of food security and energy security.
"Thus, I am convinced that we should not stop with the establishment of the ASEAN Community. Surely, that is not the end of our journey," he said, before some 300 people comprising ASEAN diplomats and officials.
ASEAN intends to adopt a common visa system for visitors from non-ASEAN countries. But before it can do so, it must first agree on an a visa-arrangement for its own peoples.
Currently, ASEAN member countries, except Cambodia and Laos, apply a visa -free policy among themselves, particularly to boost the intra-ASEAN tourism.
Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN has transformed itself tremendously, has adapted, and will have to continue adapting to the ever-changing regional and global circumstances, Yudhoyono said.
ASEAN was founded in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined the grouping in 1984, Viet Nam in 1995, Lao and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
