ASEAN Community united for cooperation and growth

Thursday, December 31, 2015 | 16:05:57

(VOVworld) – The ASEAN Community was formally launched on Thursday based on three main pillars–the Political-Security Community, Economic Community, and Socio-cultural Community.

ASEAN Community united for cooperation and growth - ảnh 1

The ASEAN flag (first, right) and the flags of the bloc's members (Photo: straitstimes.com)

The Community will create new opportunities for more than 600 million people of 10 ASEAN members but also offer many numerous challenges.

Sofian Akmal Abd Karim, Malaysian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, said: “the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Community are important milestones, marking a historical event for ASEAN. All ASEAN cities should be proud of it.”

He went on to say: “I think all member countries are aware of the coming into force of the AEC and all member countries are doing their best to make sure they are ready to take advantage of AEC and to prepare themselves for it. Of course, there are challenges but these can be addressed and tackled by each of the member states. Malaysia has done all we can during our chairmanship. We’ve set certain goals that are to come up with the vision document for ASEAN after 2015 which we have achieved. We’ve tried the best to make ASEAN an organization close to the people of ASEAN.”

Sim Sokhom, Cambodian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, commented: “we’ve identified the establishment of the ASEAN Community a major interest of ASEAN people. The event, from now on, will help the two peoples of Cambodia and Vietnam and other countries in the bloc strengthen economic development for the interests of all. Though Cambodia as the youngest member still has a number of difficulties in human resources, we will try our best to catch up with others. Cambodia is thankful to ASEAN countries including Vietnam for their support.”

Attending the ASEAN flag-raising ceremony in Nha Rong Wharf, Lao Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Somxay Sanam-Oune said: “Laos and Vietnam will unite with other members to develop the organization, in all fields including economics, education, and tourism. We’ll do the utmost to overcome any difficulties to move forward.”