(VOVworld)- Southeast Asian leaders have signed a Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community officially announcing the birth of a Community of unity, peace and prosperity that wants to further contribute to global peace, stability and development.
At the 27^th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia leaders of 10 ASEAN countries signed the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and leaders of ASEAN’s 8 dialogue and partner countries witnessed the signing.

ASEAN plays bigger role in global politics

Under the Declaration, the ASEAN Community will be established on December 31^st on three pillars: politics-security, economics, and socio-culture. The birth of the Community will bring ASEAN into a new development period to become a politically united, economically connected and socially responsible community which will benefit all member countries.

The Declaration on ASEAN Community Vision 2025 shows ASEAN’s determination to consolidate its organization and strengthen its connectivity to a people-oriented, people-centred and rules-based ASEAN. ASEAN will become a single community where people enjoy fundamental rights, and better lives.

ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh said the establishment of the ASEAN Community will bring huge benefits, especially in terms of politics-security. Minh said by establishing a single community, ASEAN shows its determination to play a more active role in coping with regional security issues: “ASEAN-initiated mechanisms have become reliable forums for cooperation dialogues on peace, stability, security, and development cooperation. These issues have been complicated by increasing intervention by major countries with conflicting interests”.

Vietnam shares interests and responsibility

The establishment of the Community is important for both ASEAN and Vietnam. The birth of the Community will create a fundamental breakthrough for Vietnam’s integration and development.

Vietnam will also face a number of challenges when the Community is established, challenges in economics, trade, legislation, market access, competition, and responsibility. Former Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung said: “The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community will benefit Vietnam and other countries. It will create a large market and promote the economic growth of member countries. It will create abundant labor and capital resources. Vietnam can take advantage of other economies to promote its economic growth. There are both opportunities and challenges. It has taken the ASEAN countries not just 1 or 2 years but much longer to establish an Economic Community. Each country must accept a certain level of losses to join the process”.

The establishment of the Community coincides with 20 years of Vietnamese membership in ASEAN. Aware of the benefits of membership, Vietnam is determined to continue contributing to ASEAN’s development.