Economic community should play key role in ASEAN growth, says PM
(03/03/2004 -- 22:38GMT+7)
Ha Noi, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Economic community should play a key role, while other two "pillars" i.e. security-political and cultural cooperation should also develop for a strong ASEAN community by 2020, suggested Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on Wednesday.
The Government leader of Viet Nam made the comment while meeting ASEAN foreign ministers on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) Retreat.
Khai said ASEAN nations should unite in the fight against terrorism, both in the bilateral and grouping frameworks. They, however, should not let any schemes in the name of counter-terrorism interfere in their internal affairs, he stressed.
In turn, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, who is also Chairman of the ASEAN Permanent Committee, said the current retreat is in preparation for the upcoming ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Summit scheduled for later this year.
He also stressed that ASEAN should closely coordinate action to overcome emerging difficulties and challenges as well as to stay firm in their principles of no use of force in solving regional disputes.