ASEAN Community Helps Member States Overcome Global Crisis As A Strong Unit - Czech FM

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) at the end of Malaysia's chairmanship this year would enable the 10 Southeast Asian Nations to overcome global crises as an integrated strong unit, said Czech Republic Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek. Every region in the world, including ASEAN depended on integration to solve mutual problems with a common voice at the international stage, as the political and social stature of the nations depended on it, he told Bernama in an exclusive interview during his visit, here, recently. Citing the European Union (EU), of which the Czech Republic is a member, Zaoralek said the region must solve several issues plaguing Europe as soon as possible, especially the migrant crisis. "All these problems are like a test to Europe and we have to show that we are able to manage this test. It's not easy to create consensus as we have 28 members and we are facing extraordinary situations. "I am convinced that if we are not be able to find a common response, it would be a bad development in Europe," he said. Zaoralek said that although the migrant crisis was not a big issue in the Czech Republic, it still impacts the country's political arena as fear of the unknown creates tension among the public. "Nobody knows what will happen next year... whether the Czech Republic will face a much bigger influx of migrants," he said. The minister added that the EU must discuss not only on matters of receiving the migrants, but also how to help them integrate with society. "We need to show that there is no reason to be afraid and that we can manage it," he said. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of December 2014, the Czech Republic has over 3,000 refugees residing in the country plus 480 asylum seekers. The UN agency also stated that the number of asylum applications received in 2014 in EU Member States had risen by 25 per cent, with a quarter of the applicants of Afghan, Eritrean or Syrian origin due to wars, conflicts and instability. Touching on Malaysia's presence in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member, Zaoralek said as a religiously tolerant country, Malaysia sets an example for its moderate approach. "Malaysia's diplomatic approach in solving or bringing forward any discussion at the international platform is something the Czech Republic shares and supports. "There are various religions here. Your country is not xenophobic. Its something very important in our attempt to having partners here in Malaysia," Zaoralek said. Zaoralek was in Malaysia for a two-day visit to Malaysia's state of Sabah and Kuala Lumpur where he met his counterpart, Anifah Aman, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed. -- BERNAMA