Vietnam accepted as the seventh member of ASEAN

Vietnam accepted as the seventh member of ASEAN

By Oei Eng Goan

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Vietnam became the only communist
country to join ASEAN, the regional economic grouping set up 28
years ago by staunchly anti-communist Southeast Asian nations,
when it was accepted as the seventh member of the association
yesterday.

Vietnam's flag was raised slowly to the accompaniment of
"March Forward", Vietnam's national anthem, as foreign ministers
and senior officials from member countries and Vietnamese Foreign
Minister Nguyen Manh Cam looked on.

The flag raising ceremony was held in the large courtyard of
the International Convention Center moments after Cam and his six
counterparts from Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore signed the declaration on
the admission of Vietnam into the group.

In a welcome address by the chairman of the ASEAN standing
committee, Brunei's Foreign Minister Mohamed Bolkiah said that
"Vietnam has much to contribute to the group since its strategic
location also means a bigger market for ASEAN."

Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said that the inclusion
of Vietnam into ASEAN meant a great deal more than just an
increase in membership. It could also enhance the vitality and
collective strength of the group.

In joining ASEAN, Vietnam has agreed to accede to all the
treaties, declarations and agreements already made by all members
of the group, including the extension of most-favored nation
status to products from each member as well as ASEAN's principles
on international trade.

Cam yesterday reiterated his country's pledge to pursue a
policy of "comprehensive renewal in all aspects of social life"
in line with the ASEAN spirit. He said his country would fulfill
"all obligations and responsibilities of a member country
according to targets, objectives and principles" set by the
group.

Vietnam will start implementing the agreement on the Common
Effective Preferential Tariff scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade
Area this coming January.

Hanoi must also inform the group of all changes to laws and
regulations concerning trade so as to ensure transparency and
harmonious trade ties in ASEAN.

The seven foreign ministers of the extended ASEAN will kick-
off their two-day meeting with a ceremony scheduled to be opened
today by Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Topics to be discussed at the 28th ministerial meeting include
claims to the Spratly islands by some ASEAN members as well as
the war in Bosnia.

The Spratlys are a group of islands in the South China Sea,
believed to be rich in oil and gas, that are currently being
claimed partly or wholly by Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam,
China and Taiwan.

ASEAN foreign ministers will meet their counterparts from the
United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand,
Russia, China, Canada and the European Union on Tuesday at the
second ASEAN Regional Forum. The meeting will discuss security
issues in the Asia-Pacific region.