Cambodia set to apply to ASEAN

Cambodia set to apply to ASEAN

JAKARTA (JP): Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung Huot is set to arrive here on Tuesday to deliver Phnom Penh's application to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He is scheduled to meet with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas on Wednesday before returning home later in the day.

Both foreign ministers and ASEAN officials here in Jakarta yesterday confirmed Cambodia's plan to submit an application but denied rumors that they were pushing for acceptance in ASEAN this year.

"It will happen next year when ASEAN celebrates its 30th anniversary," said an official, requesting anonymity.

Formed in 1967 as a socio-economic organization, ASEAN has evolved into one of the world's most successful and respected regional groupings.

It currently comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

One of it ultimate aims is to combine all 10 states in Southeast Asia. The other three-remaining non-members are Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Officials here pointed out that Laos has already submitted its application last week.

There had earlier been speculation that both Cambodia and Laos were pushing for membership this year in conjunction with the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting which will be held here in July.

All three of the remaining non-ASEAN members however have been allowed to take part in the association's major events such as the signing of the treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Bangkok in December.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the ministerial meeting in July, ASEAN officials will also hold a special three-day Senior Officials Meeting in Surabaya on April 3.

Apart from ASEAN and foreign ministry officials from member states, the meeting will also involve officials from the ministries of security and defense.

Topics of discussion will include the ASEAN Regional Forum, the nuclear-free zone and the impending ASEAN-U.S. talks. (mds)