PNG wants to become permanent associate<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Papua New Guinea is seeking the creation of a
\nnew status as \"permanent associate\" of ASEAN, arguing that its
\ncurrent title of \"special observer\" creates a great deal of
\nuncertainty in its ties with the association.<\/p>\n
\"Papua New Guinea believes that relations would be made
\nstronger and more certain through developing a clearly defined
\nform of permanent association with ASEAN,\" said PNG Foreign
\nMinister Kilroy Genia.<\/p>\n
He argued that the title of special observer \"creates some
\nuncertainty about future ASEAN Papua New Guinea relations.\"<\/p>\n
The status of \"observer\" usually implies a transitional stage
\nfor future members like that of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
\nHowever, since Papua New Guinea does not figure into the vision
\nof an ASEAN-10 and is not part of the Southeast Asian region it
\nwas accorded \"special observer\" status 20 years ago.<\/p>\n
Genia said his country was very committed in its arrangements
\nand cooperation with ASEAN, however the current status \"suggests
\nwe do not participate as fully as we do in ASEAN meetings but
\nonly observe what others do\".<\/p>\n
ASEAN Secretary-General Dato' Ajit Singh said that it was the
\nfirst time he had heard of PNG's proposal. \"We need a further
\ndiscussion,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a consultative meeting chaired by Vietnamese
\nForeign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam on behalf of other ASEAN
\nministers, Genia said here yesterday that Papua New Guinea would
\nlike to acquire a status that is clearly intended to be lasting.<\/p>\n
While often overlooked in the ASEAN scheme, Papua New Guinea
\nhas a proven track record of close association and \"firsts\" with
\nASEAN.<\/p>\n
Apart from becoming the first observer, it was also the first
\nnon-ASEAN country to accede to the Treaty of Amity and
\nCooperation. It is also one of the founding members of the ASEAN
\nRegional Forum.<\/p>\n
\"We therefore propose that ASEAN members agree that senior
\nofficials should meet to develop a draft declaration guiding
\nrelations between ASEAN and Papua New Guinea for presentation at
\nthe 30th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting next year,\" Genia said.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has yet to officially reply to the proposal, saying that
\nit needs to be studied first. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/png-wants-to-become-permanent-associate-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}