ASEAN Community Vision 2025 to sustain momentum of regional integration: Malaysian FM

The ASEAN Community Vsion 2025 is designed to sustain the momentum of the integration in the region, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman has said.

Vision 2025, to be signed at the 27th Summit of ASEAN this weekend, will also contribute to further boosting the efforts in building the ASEAN Community, Anifah said.

In an interview with Bernama, the Malaysian National News Agency, which was published on Friday, the foreign minister said the vision is a broad, strategic and forward-looking document reflecting the aspirations of the ASEAN people.

The ASEAN Community, to be established by the end of this year, have three pillars: the political-security community, the economic community and the socio-cultural community.

Asked about the vision for the next 10 years, Anifah said there are a number of priorities including promoting public awareness of ASEAN which will be a politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible community.

"Another focus will be on engaging all nationals of ASEAN members through effective and innovative platforms to promote commitment and identification with ASEAN policies and regional interests."

In accordance with the vision, the ASEAN Community is committed to fundamental freedoms, human rights and better lives for all ASEAN people, the foreign minister added.

The 27th Summit of ASEAN will be held here on Saturday and Sunday with the theme "Our people, Our Community, Our Vision."

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. It aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress and socio-cultural evolution among its members. Enditem