ID :
71431
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 13:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/71431
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ASEAN to learn from EU experience in closing development gaps
PHUKET, July 22 (TNA) - ASEAN foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed to study the European Union (EU) experience in narrowing the development gap among its newer and older members.
Director-General Vitavas Srivihok of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs ASEAN Affairs Department on Tuesday reported reported to the press about ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) meeting.
He said the 10 ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to study the EU experience, to guide ASEAN on how to reduce its own development gaps.
In addition to capacity building and development, “ASEAN should try to promote connectivity among its peoples,” said Mr. Vitavas, possibly ”through improving infrastructure such as transportation linkages and developing new means of communications such as ASEAN television.”
A study will be done to identify areas needing strengthening and investment, he said, “so-called ‘missing links’.”
The ACC is a new body set up when the ASEAN Charter came into force last December, with the foreign ministers its members. The council is tasked to coordinate implementation of agreements and decisions of the ASEAN Summit.
Tuesday's ACC meeting set October 23-25 as the tentative date for Thailand, as ASEAN Chair, to host the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Phuket.
The meeting agreed with Thailand’s proposed theme, “Empowering people for ASEAN Community”, for the next leaders’ gathering.
Topics and activities at the next summits will include strengthening ASEAN cooperation in education, promoting connectivity among ASEAN peoples, and launching the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
ACC also agreed that to again hold a forum for dialogue between ASEAN leaders and civil society organisations, the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly and the ASEAN Business Council should be continued, as was done in the last summit in April.
Also discussed, Mr. Vitavas said, was strengthening the ASEAN Foundation, especially funding.
The ministers called for more funding from ASEAN members, dialogue partners and the private sector to support the foundation’s projects. To supervise foundation operations, the ministers tasked their permanent representatives to ASEAN to sit on its board of trustees.
The foundation, a mechanism under the ASEAN Charter, also promotes an ASEAN identity, people-to-people interaction, and collaboration among the business sector, civil society, academia and other ASEAN stakeholders. (TNA)
Director-General Vitavas Srivihok of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs ASEAN Affairs Department on Tuesday reported reported to the press about ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) meeting.
He said the 10 ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to study the EU experience, to guide ASEAN on how to reduce its own development gaps.
In addition to capacity building and development, “ASEAN should try to promote connectivity among its peoples,” said Mr. Vitavas, possibly ”through improving infrastructure such as transportation linkages and developing new means of communications such as ASEAN television.”
A study will be done to identify areas needing strengthening and investment, he said, “so-called ‘missing links’.”
The ACC is a new body set up when the ASEAN Charter came into force last December, with the foreign ministers its members. The council is tasked to coordinate implementation of agreements and decisions of the ASEAN Summit.
Tuesday's ACC meeting set October 23-25 as the tentative date for Thailand, as ASEAN Chair, to host the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Phuket.
The meeting agreed with Thailand’s proposed theme, “Empowering people for ASEAN Community”, for the next leaders’ gathering.
Topics and activities at the next summits will include strengthening ASEAN cooperation in education, promoting connectivity among ASEAN peoples, and launching the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
ACC also agreed that to again hold a forum for dialogue between ASEAN leaders and civil society organisations, the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly and the ASEAN Business Council should be continued, as was done in the last summit in April.
Also discussed, Mr. Vitavas said, was strengthening the ASEAN Foundation, especially funding.
The ministers called for more funding from ASEAN members, dialogue partners and the private sector to support the foundation’s projects. To supervise foundation operations, the ministers tasked their permanent representatives to ASEAN to sit on its board of trustees.
The foundation, a mechanism under the ASEAN Charter, also promotes an ASEAN identity, people-to-people interaction, and collaboration among the business sector, civil society, academia and other ASEAN stakeholders. (TNA)
