Phnom Penh, (VNA)
– A flag-raising ceremony was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 11 to
mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
(August 8, 1967).
Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Thach Du joined other ambassadors from ASEAN
member countries and representatives from diplomatic agencies at the event.
Addressing the ceremony, Cambodia’s Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn highlighted ASEAN’s successes in
economic development as well as its important role to peace and stability in
the region.
ASEAN has put forth initiatives and reaped significant achievements in
maintaining regional stability and prosperity, he said, listing the agreement
on ASEAN free trade area, the ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN 3 and the East Asia
Summit, among others.
The minister expressed his hope that ASEAN will continue to become a community
of political connectivity, economic integration and social responsibility.
As an ASEAN member, Cambodia will work to show its responsibility for regional peace,
stability and prosperity on the basis of respect for independence and
sovereignty, not interfering and agreeing with ASEAN’s decision-making, he
said.
Founded in 1967, the
10-member ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The flag raising ceremony on the annual anniversary of
ASEAN has become a tradition for all ASEAN member countries, reflecting the
respect for the bloc’s common value and commitment to regional people.-VNA