ASEAN's Wise Men discuss group's future<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (AFP): Prominent representatives of the 10 ASEAN
\nmembers met for the first time here on Tuesday to ponder the
\nfuture of a diverse grouping rocked by economic crisis and
\npolitical problems.<\/p>\n
The Eminent Persons' Group (EPG), formed after last December's
\nsummit in Hanoi of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
\n(ASEAN), will try to chart a greater global role for the bloc in
\nthe 21st century.<\/p>\n
\"These are difficult and yet challenging times for ASEAN,\"
\nForeign Minister S. Jayakumar of Singapore, the current ASEAN
\nchairman, said in remarks opening the EPG talks.<\/p>\n
He said the EPG members \"have the important and vital task to
\nprovide insights and ideas to guide our leaders in planning for
\nASEAN's future.<\/p>\n
\"It is a fitting challenge, and given your vast experience and
\ntalents as well as diverse background, I am confident that you
\nwill be able to offer new perspectives and recommendations for
\nour leaders' consideration.\"<\/p>\n
The so-called \"ten wise men\" of ASEAN include former
\nministers, ambassadors and academics. ASEAN comprises Brunei,
\nCambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
\nSingapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
The EPG, patterned after advisory groups formed by
\ninternational organizations seeking independent views on their
\nfuture, will meet three times over the next 12 to 18 months and
\nsubmit a report to the heads of government.<\/p>\n
It was asked to make recommendations on how to promote peace
\nand stability, develop Southeast Asia into an economic region
\nwith free flow of goods, services, investments and capital, and
\nexamine ASEAN's role in regional and international affairs.<\/p>\n
The EPG members are Brunei's foreign ministry permanent
\nsecretary Lim Jock Seng, Cambodian Royal Academy president Sorn
\nSamnang, Indonesian strategic analyst Cornelius P. F. Luhulima,
\nLaotian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Boupha,
\nMalaysian Industrial Development Authority chairman Zainal Abidin
\nSulong, Myanmar's former ambassador to the United States U Ba
\nThwin, the Philippines' former finance secretary Jesus
\nEstanislao, Singaporean law dean and MP Chin Tet Yung, Thai
\nSenator Mechai Viravaidya, and Vietnam's former UN permanent
\nrepresentative Trinh Xuan Lang.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aseans-wise-men-discuss-groups-future-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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