PM Yingluck commended the member countries’ effort in building the ASEAN Community and emphasized the significance of ASEAN’s future after 2015. Many powerful nations are particularly interested in ASEAN because of its diversified potentials. Hence, ASEAN must adapt itself to the changing political geography and the rapidly changing global situations. To achieve this goal, ASEAN must establish political coalition, look ahead and cooperate with powerful nations in operating ASEAN-led frameworks. With this plan, ASEAN will be able to maintain its regional security and peace, expand its economic growth, and sustain its regional economic integration. ASEAN must push forward itself in playing an important role in international stages and must take part in the issues of global interests such as sustainable development, management of disasters and peace keeping.
PM Yingluck also reiterated the importance of progressing with the 3 pillars of ASEAN as follows:
Economic Pillar: ASEAN must prioritize economic integration within the region and mobilization of “Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership”.
Political and Security Pillar: ASEAN must promote regional peace and security in order to maintain economically friendly atmosphere. Member countries must support border cooperation. ASEAN also has to concern about the importance of good governance and transparency and push forward the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration into actual practice.
Socio-Cultural Pillar: ASEAN must be citizen center and closely collaborate in order to develop regional efficiency in preventing and controlling transmitted diseases and to promote access to health care service.
Moreover, PM Yingluck emphasized that ASEAN must expand cultural cooperation and promote cultural exchange. These matters, not only support the creation of ASEAN’s uniqueness, but also build good understanding among the citizens of ASEAN.
On connectivity issue, the promotion of connectivity, both software and hardware, should be continued and prioritized. This will assist in the economic integration and reduce the gap of development disparity. What equally important is resource mobilization for connectivity projects and financial innovation through the partnership between public and private sector and the cooperation with outside partners.
Since Thailand is the coordinating country for ASEAN-China, PM Yingluck took the opportunity to push forward the issue of South China Sea, which directly involves with the future of ASEAN. As ASEAN and China will celebrate their 10 years of strategic partnership, ASEAN should elevate the strategic partnership with China to another level without letting the South China Sea issue hinder this important relation that would promote regional peace and prosperity. ASEAN must sustain its unity and political attentiveness for both ASEAN and China.
ASEAN must work closely and carefully, rebuild trust and expand joint fundamental issues between ASEAN and China while moving forward with the progress on COC. The six principles in the ASEAN-China Joint Declaration issued in Phnom Penh will be important foundations for the work. In addition, ASEAN is pleased with the move made by Beijing high-ranking officials in a meeting early in this month, which indicates that China is heading for the same direction. It is also necessary for ASEAN to send direct message to China on the same direction of work and that the best way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-China strategic partnership is to demonstrate a progress for COC finalization (South China Sea Code of Conduct).
PM Yingluck acknowledged that the COC progress would take time and expressed belief that there would be political expression with regard to the solution to this issue in the next ASEAN-China Summit held in October. The political attentiveness on this matter should be indicated in the statement presented at the meeting.
PM Yingluck also agreed that it would be beneficial if all parties could come to terms on the prevention and avoidance of any action that might further complicate the situation. From now on to October, ASEAN must work together to expand ASEAN-China’s foundation. It is expected that there will be an ASEAN-China ministerial meeting in Beijing between August and September. Thailand is pleased to host the informal ASEAN Ministerial meeting (IAMM) in either late July or August, if other member countries agree upon.
On this occasion, Brunei, in its capacity as the President of ASEAN, lauded and supported PM Yingluck’s suggestions with regard to the South China Sea issue, particularly the suggestion on an ASEAN-China ministerial meeting, and expressed confidence that all ASEAN’s member countries would endorse the matter as well.
AS for the ASEAN’s Future Direction after 2015, PM Yingluck proposed to transform diversity into opportunity, to be more responsible for regional and global issues, to enhance ASEAN’s capacity in preparation for any upcoming challenge, and to review and strengthen the building of ASEAN Community through the reassessment of ASEAN’s role and interrelation in all dimensions.