|
THE
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) firmly
restaked its claim as the engine of transformation in
East Asia in the face of Australian attempts to
allegedly dilute it with a new cooperative framework.
Dr.
Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Asean, had to
reiterate the major contributions of the regional bloc
“in the construction of various architectures existing
in the region today” following a speech delivered on
Sunday in Sydney by Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd, proposing a new framework of cooperation in the
Asia-Pacific region.
In a
statement, Surin said the proposed framework of
cooperation would “dilute the roles of existing
institutions in the region including Asean.”
He noted
the proposal has already generated a lot of interest and
debate in the region. “We want to know more about it. It
is a vision of one leader, a very important leader of
the emerging East-Asian community. I think there will be
a discussion on the idea at many levels, in many forums,
within and outside Asean. I am sure Mr. Rudd will be
asked to explain and a rather engaged discussion will
follow.”
Rudd
envisioned the new framework for cooperation to include
major powers such as the US, China, Japan, and other
states in the Asia-Pacific region but said existing
regional institutions like the Asean would continue to
play their parts and make contributions. “We look into
the future, in a larger region, with many more
challenges. We want a debate on it.” He had visited the
Asean secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, last week where
he and Surin discussed his proposed East Asian Economic
Integration.
During
his visit, Rudd also committed to allocate A$57 million
to Asean to provide support for developing greater
economic integration in the region in the next seven
years.
The
allocation will fund the second phase of the Asean-Australia
Development Cooperation Program. |
