ID :
376073
Mon, 08/03/2015 - 04:35
Auther :

ASEAN Accessible Via Non-Membership Platforms - Observers

By Sharifah Nur Shahrizad Mohamed Sharer and Voon Miaw Ping KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Without becoming a member of ASEAN, countries from beyond Southeast Asia could well engage with the grouping either as a dialogue or sectoral partner, according to international affairs observers. This follows a report that Turkey is keen to join the bloc as a member. Citing the ASEAN Charter, former Malaysian foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar noted that membership in ASEAN was only open to countries located in Southeast Asia. "There may be some misunderstanding on what ASEAN is about," he told Bernama when asked on Ankara's intention. Former Malaysian permanent representative to the United Nations Razali Ismail said while the intention to be closer to ASEAN was commendable, he was doubtful that Turkey could be an integral part of the group. "I doubt that this is possible...otherwise countries like China might want to be a member as it's closer (geographically)," he said. Article 6, Clause 2 of the ASEAN Charter relating to admission of new members states that membership is for countries located in the recognised geographical region of Southeast Asia. It also stipulates that admission shall be decided by consensus by the ASEAN Summit upon recommendation of the ASEAN Coordinationg Council, and that an applicant state shall be admitted to ASEAN upon signing the Instrument of Accession to the Charter. Established in 1967, ASEAN now comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Turkey is located about 6,000 kilometers from the closest ASEAN member, Myanmar. Prof Dr Mohamad Abu Bakar of Malaysia's Universiti Malaya's International and Strategic Studies Department said Turkey could well be a strategic partner of ASEAN for mutual benefit. "Turkey's show of interest is a golden opportunity for the grouping, taking into account its vast market and strategic potential that ASEAN could tap into," he said. He alluded to Turkey's population of 75 million and the country's strategic geographical location, straddling both Europe and Asia. Mohamad added that the republic's rising power and influence on the international stage would prove beneficial to ASEAN. Turkey has established institutional relations with ASEAN when it became a signatory of the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in July 2010. Turkey has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation since 1952 and is eyeing membership in the European Union. -- BERNAMA

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