Significant Progress In Implementation Of ASEAN Community Blueprints - Foreign Minister

By Rohani Mohd Ibrahim KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- More than halfway through under Malaysia's chairmanship, ASEAN has implemented over 90 per cent of action lines under the blueprints of the three ASEAN Community pillars encompassing economy, political-security and socio-cultural. In stating this, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said Malaysia would redouble its efforts and work closely with other ASEAN members to ensure timely completion of the remaining action lines, and the development of the ASEAN Community's Post-2015 Vision. "It's worthy to note that ASEAN has achieved significant progress in the implementation of these action lines. On average, we've already implemented over 90 per cent of them," he said. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint has 229 action lines while the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprints have 147 and 339 action lines, respectively. Speaking to Bernama as Malaysia hosts the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings from Aug 1 to 6, he said ASEAN was making positive headway in the development of the Post-2015 Vision. "This would be an important undertaking for ASEAN in charting a bold, inclusive and forward-looking future for this region," Anifah said. Coming back to the action lines, he said that as the current ASEAN chair, Malaysia would continue to monitor the progress of the remaining action lines in the blueprints. The AEC eyes the goal of regional economic integration by 2015, envisaging a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy. The APSC aims to ensure that countries in the region live at peace with one another and with the world in a just, democratic and harmonious environment. Meanwhile, the ASCC aims to contribute to realising an ASEAN Community that is people-oriented and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the people and ASEAN member states. "The success of the ASEAN Community will not be Malaysia's alone but (through) consolidated efforts of all ASEAN member states," said Anifah who will preside over ASEAN proceedings at the Putra World Trade Centre here. The minister stressed that ASEAN Community would continue to be a work in progress, even beyond 2015. "It is not the end of our regional integration process but the beginning of a new era for ASEAN," said Anifah. The 48th AMM is scheduled to be opened by Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN this year is themed 'Our People, Our Community, Our Vision'. Malaysia has underlined eight priorities during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2015, namely to formally establish the ASEAN Community; develop the ASEAN Community's Post-2015 Vision; steer ASEAN closer to its people; and strengthen the development of SMEs in the region. The rest are to expand intra-ASEAN trade and investments; strengthen ASEAN’s institutions; promote regional peace and security through moderation; and enhance ASEAN’s role as a global player. -- BERNAMA