ASEAN to expedite implementation of roadmap for Asean community

In a 28-point Nay Pyi Taw Declaration issued at the end of the summit, the grouping recognised the urgency of the successful establishment of the Asean Community by 2015, and reiterated its commitment to further strengthen efforts to enhance Asean Integration and narrow the development gap.

This effort is to be achieved by building on existing initiatives such as the Initiative for Asean Integration and the Ha Noi Declaration for Narrowing Development Gap for Closer Asean Integration.

Under the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration, Asean members also agreed to intensify its effort in realising the Asean Economic Community by 2015 and implement the initiatives to achieve the Asean Single Market and Production Base.

These include trade facilitative initiatives such as the Asean Self-Certification System and the Asean Single Window, Asean Custom Transit System, as well as other measures for the free flow of goods, services, investment, skilled labour and free flow of capital.

Asean also noted it should continue to strengthen its external economic integration and advance its collective interest in the region through the ongoing Asean Plus One Free Trade Agreements with dialogue partners and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The regional grouping will also promote a sense of belonging to the Asean Community through the formulation and implementation of Asean Communication Master Plan to articulate benefits of regional integration.

On science, technology and innovation cooperation in Asean and dialogue partners, Asean will intensify its efforts and promote the productive capabilities of member states to keep pace with dynamic technological advancement with a view to encouraging a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Asean.

The 10-member grouping also reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with all its partners through various Asean-led processes, such as Asean Plus One, Asean Plus Three (APT), East Asia Summit (EAS), Asean Regional Forum (ARF) and Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus).

The grouping also agreed to further enhance Asean cooperation in promoting democracy, good governance and the rule of law, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, so as to further enhance a rule-based community of shared values and norms.

“We also agree to strengthen cooperation for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," it said.

This is especially, calling on all parties to exercise self-restraint and non use of force, as well as refrain from taking action that would further escalate tension and to work towards an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, as reflected in the Asean’s Six Point Principles on the South China Sea, said Asean.

The two-day 24th Asean Summit, first time chaired by Myanmar after joining the regional grouping in 1997, is themed, 'Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community'.