Achievements highlighted, flag hoisted to mark Asean founding day

Asean has significantly contributed towards peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large as the 10-member regional bloc turns 53, Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith has said.
The minister made the comment at a Flag Hoisting Ceremony held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the founding of Asean (8 August 1967 - 8 August 2020) and the 23rd anniversary of the Lao PDR’s accession to Asean (23 July 1997-23 July 2020).
The achievements of Asean over the past 53 years have significantly contributed towards peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large, the minister stressed.
One of the key achievements is that Asean as an inter-governmental regional organisation has continued to strengthen cooperation amongst Asean member states as well as between Asean and its Dialogue Partners based on the principles stipulated in the Asean Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia through Asean led-mechanisms (the principles of peaceful co-existence; respect for independence, sovereignty, non-interference; peaceful settlement of disputes, and the principles of consensus and mutual benefits while taking into account the region’s diversity or the so-called “Asean way”).
 The minister also outlined the successful outcomes of the 36th Asean Summit and related Meetings via a videoconference under the chairmanship of Vietnam. Despite the fact that the region and the world are confronted by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic - posing major threats and impacts to public health, socio-economic development, stability and security - Asean and its Dialogue Partners have demonstrated their solidarity and ability, over the past year, to ensure continued implementation of initiatives, measures and activities under the three community pillars: Political-Security Community, Economic Community, and Socio-Cultural Community.
 These have resulted in gradual achievements, namely the establishment of the COVID-19 Asean Response Fund, the Asean Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies, and the drafting of an Asean Comprehensive Recovery Plan in the post-COVID-19 world.
 Furthermore, Minister Saleumxay reiterated that over the last 23 years since its accession to Asean, Laos has actively participated in the direction of Asean, thereby elevating the role of the country to a new height in the regional and international arena.
Particularly on the economic front, Asean Free Trade Areas and Asean Free Trade Areas with Dialogue Partners have significantly contributed to increasing trade and investment in Laos.
Lastly, the minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Lao PDR to continue its active participation in the direction of Asean towards realising Asean Community building in 2025.
He expressed appreciation for the assistance, support and cooperation received from all Asean member states and dialogue partners as well as external partners, which has enabled Laos to fully and effectively fulfil its commitment as a member of Asean throughout the past 23 years and deliver tangibles benefits to Laos.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 5, 2020)