ASEAN's Wise Men discuss group's future
ASEAN's Wise Men discuss group's future
SINGAPORE (AFP): Prominent representatives of the 10 ASEAN
members met for the first time here on Tuesday to ponder the
future of a diverse grouping rocked by economic crisis and
political problems.
The Eminent Persons' Group (EPG), formed after last December's
summit in Hanoi of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), will try to chart a greater global role for the bloc in
the 21st century.
"These are difficult and yet challenging times for ASEAN,"
Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar of Singapore, the current ASEAN
chairman, said in remarks opening the EPG talks.
He said the EPG members "have the important and vital task to
provide insights and ideas to guide our leaders in planning for
ASEAN's future.
"It is a fitting challenge, and given your vast experience and
talents as well as diverse background, I am confident that you
will be able to offer new perspectives and recommendations for
our leaders' consideration."
The so-called "ten wise men" of ASEAN include former
ministers, ambassadors and academics. ASEAN comprises Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The EPG, patterned after advisory groups formed by
international organizations seeking independent views on their
future, will meet three times over the next 12 to 18 months and
submit a report to the heads of government.
It was asked to make recommendations on how to promote peace
and stability, develop Southeast Asia into an economic region
with free flow of goods, services, investments and capital, and
examine ASEAN's role in regional and international affairs.
The EPG members are Brunei's foreign ministry permanent
secretary Lim Jock Seng, Cambodian Royal Academy president Sorn
Samnang, Indonesian strategic analyst Cornelius P. F. Luhulima,
Laotian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Boupha,
Malaysian Industrial Development Authority chairman Zainal Abidin
Sulong, Myanmar's former ambassador to the United States U Ba
Thwin, the Philippines' former finance secretary Jesus
Estanislao, Singaporean law dean and MP Chin Tet Yung, Thai
Senator Mechai Viravaidya, and Vietnam's former UN permanent
representative Trinh Xuan Lang.