(VOVworld)- Founded 46 years ago, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has developed strongly towards the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015. Challenges to the achievement of this goal lie ahead. The way to realize this goal was described by ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh in a recent interview with VOV.

Minh said that in the next five years, ASEAN will witness two major events: the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015 and the celebration of its 50^th anniversary in 2017. Challenges lie ahead with the deadline drawing near and ASEAN determined to follow its development roadmap. Minh told us:“A score of measures have been adopted to implement the roadmap. By March 2013 ASEAN member states had completed nearly 80% of the work of forming the Economic Community. But the work needed to complete the ASEAN Community by 2015 remains a challenge that requires member countries to exert even greater efforts”.

ASEAN General Secretary Le Luong Minh reaffirmed the grouping's determination to build a united community by 2015 on schedule (Photo:VTV)

In addition to working toward an ASEAN Community by 2015, Minh said, the group has begun mapping out visions and development orientations beyond 2015 to ensure it will continue integrating deeper and more comprehensively and become a highly competitive economic region. ASEAN has been restructuring to improve the capacity of its Secretariat, expand external relations with external partners and take advantage of outside support for building the community.

Minh said ASEAN faces numerous challenges including epidemics, flooding, natural disasters, a rising sea level and trans-national crime. The group is particularly concerned about East Sea disputes. Facing this sensitive issue, ASEAN remains united, Minh said:“ASEAN member states have reached close consensus on the way to resolve East Sea disputes using the group’s six-point principles to maintain security and peace. ASEAN is aware that resolving issues by using these principles is important not only for ASEAN countries but also for China and others”.

ASEAN leaders showed their unity at the opening ceremony of the 22nd ASEAN Summit in Brunei  (Photo:VGP)

According to Secretary General Minh, settling East Sea issues goes hand in hand with ensuring maritime safety and security. In recent years, ASEAN’s partners have supported both the group’s stance on East Sea issues and its community building efforts.“ASEAN’s partners have supported the group’s stance on resolving East Sea issues using on the six-point principles and confronting East Sea issues with China on a basis that ensures peace in the region as well as maritime safety and security. 74 non-ASEAN countries have sent ambassadors to ASEAN, showing their desire to strengthen cooperation with the group. Now is a good time for ASEAN to make the most of non-ASEAN assistance to fulfill its goal of a community by 2015”.
Minh said ASEAN will continue to build on its achievements over the past 46 years, to strengthen internal unity to create a united and strong community by 2015.