Vietnam accepted as the seventh member of ASEAN<\/p>\n
By Oei Eng Goan<\/p>\n
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Vietnam became the only communist
\ncountry to join ASEAN, the regional economic grouping set up 28
\nyears ago by staunchly anti-communist Southeast Asian nations,
\nwhen it was accepted as the seventh member of the association
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Vietnam's flag was raised slowly to the accompaniment of
\n\"March Forward\", Vietnam's national anthem, as foreign ministers
\nand senior officials from member countries and Vietnamese Foreign
\nMinister Nguyen Manh Cam looked on.<\/p>\n
The flag raising ceremony was held in the large courtyard of
\nthe International Convention Center moments after Cam and his six
\ncounterparts from Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines, Thailand, and Singapore signed the declaration on
\nthe admission of Vietnam into the group.<\/p>\n
In a welcome address by the chairman of the ASEAN standing
\ncommittee, Brunei's Foreign Minister Mohamed Bolkiah said that
\n\"Vietnam has much to contribute to the group since its strategic
\nlocation also means a bigger market for ASEAN.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said that the inclusion
\nof Vietnam into ASEAN meant a great deal more than just an
\nincrease in membership. It could also enhance the vitality and
\ncollective strength of the group.<\/p>\n
In joining ASEAN, Vietnam has agreed to accede to all the
\ntreaties, declarations and agreements already made by all members
\nof the group, including the extension of most-favored nation
\nstatus to products from each member as well as ASEAN's principles
\non international trade.<\/p>\n
Cam yesterday reiterated his country's pledge to pursue a
\npolicy of \"comprehensive renewal in all aspects of social life\"
\nin line with the ASEAN spirit. He said his country would fulfill
\n\"all obligations and responsibilities of a member country
\naccording to targets, objectives and principles\" set by the
\ngroup.<\/p>\n
Vietnam will start implementing the agreement on the Common
\nEffective Preferential Tariff scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade
\nArea this coming January.<\/p>\n
Hanoi must also inform the group of all changes to laws and
\nregulations concerning trade so as to ensure transparency and
\nharmonious trade ties in ASEAN.<\/p>\n
The seven foreign ministers of the extended ASEAN will kick-
\noff their two-day meeting with a ceremony scheduled to be opened
\ntoday by Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.<\/p>\n
Topics to be discussed at the 28th ministerial meeting include
\nclaims to the Spratly islands by some ASEAN members as well as
\nthe war in Bosnia.<\/p>\n
The Spratlys are a group of islands in the South China Sea,
\nbelieved to be rich in oil and gas, that are currently being
\nclaimed partly or wholly by Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam,
\nChina and Taiwan.<\/p>\n
ASEAN foreign ministers will meet their counterparts from the
\nUnited States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand,
\nRussia, China, Canada and the European Union on Tuesday at the
\nsecond ASEAN Regional Forum. The meeting will discuss security
\nissues in the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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