ASEAN chief foresees AC positive prospect

BANGKOK, July 27 (TNA) - ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan says that he foresees the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to achieve its formation into a single community by 2015. Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, Surin, who is a former Thai foreign minister, acknowledged that the 10-nation bloc is now commonly focusing on regional peace, security and stability. The 10-member grouping will, therefore, according to the ASEAN chief, establish a regional institute for peace and reconciliation in November 2012 to serve as its another instrument for confidence building to achieve the goal. (TNA)