ASEAN Becomes Engine of Regional Peace, Stability: Minister

Jakarta, (Antara)- Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi has said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in its 50th anniversary has proven itself to be an engine of peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region.

"Amid doubt over multilateral and regionalism, ASEAN has proven itself to be an engine of peace and stability in the region," Minister Marsudi said during a foreign minister meeting of ASEAN held in Manila, the Philippines, on Saturday.

Over the last 50 years, ASEAN has managed to create stability, prosperity, and peace ecosystem in the region, the minister said in the plenary session discussing ASEAN community development.

The success of ASEAN has prevented an open conflict in the region, and has triggered economic development and prosperity that has made ASEAN into an engine of growth in the region and the world.

"The success story of ASEAN could be seen from our region which is peaceful and stable and with economic growth above the world average," she said.

ASEAN has managed to build institutions emphasizing on peace and stability and to promote dialog diplomacy, instead of megaphone diplomacy, she added.

"ASEAN has become regional and global actor which is respected through ASEAN-led mechanism, to promote dialog with countries inside and outside the region," she remarked.

To maintain the success story, ASEAN should be able to face various challenges at present as well as new challenges in the future, she added.

One of the challenges is geopolitical rivalry in South China Sea, she pointed out.

ASEAN must be able to manage the situation by respecting international basic principles and laws and maintain good relations with every party.

Foreign ministers from the 10 ASEAN member countries and their counterparts from Asia and Pacific met in Manila on Aug 5, to tackle a slew of issues and celebrate ASEAN's 50th anniversary.

Under the Philippine chairmanship theme of "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World," the ministers primarily reviewed the progress and future direction of the ASEAN community-building efforts, and exchange views on pressing regional and international developments.(*)