Vietnam applies for ASEAN membership

Vietnam applies for ASEAN membership

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Reuter): Hanoi has formally applied to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the staunchly anti-communist group formed at the height of the Vietnam War, senior ASEAN officials said.

The officials, in Brunei for an ASEAN senior officials' meeting which ended last Friday, said Vietnam submitted a formal letter of application two weeks ago.

Brunei, the smallest ASEAN member, currently chairs the standing committee. ASEAN, which also comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, decided last July to admit Vietnam as a member.

Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Khoan visited ASEAN capitals last month for detailed consultations about the group's administration, monetary contributions and frequency of meetings. No formal date has been fixed on Vietnam's admission.