Singapore - Singapore‘s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Wednesday urged parliamentarians from Southeast Asian nations to support ASEAN integration policies, in particular the implementation of the Charter.
Addressing the opening of the annual ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) inter-parliamentary assembly meeting, Lee said that as intermediaries between the political leadership and the people, they occupy a unique position.
"National parliaments play a key role in supporting policies that foster closer integration of ASEAN countries, and in particular the implementation of ASEAN agreements, which in several member countries have to be ratified by the legislature."
Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia have not ratified the Charter, which was signed by ASEAN‘s 10 member leaders last year aiming to transform the regional bloc from a loose association into a rules-based one.
Lee stressed the importance of a strong and integrated ASEAN market, saying "then collectively, we will form a bigger blip on the radar screens, and become a more attractive and worthwhile economic partner, whether for MNCs (multinational corporations) or other countries."
He also noted that the global economic slowdown and urgent domestic economic and political issues within some ASEAN member countries make it hard for governments to focus on building ASEAN cooperation.
"This makes it even more necessary for parliamentarians to set the tone in ASEAN cooperation, to lead and manage domestic sentiments, to stand firm against xenophobic attitudes, and to support policies which keep our economies open and integrated," he said.
Speaker of the Singapore Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi, also president of the meeting, also urged parliamentarians to play a role in the development of an ASEAN Economic Community, which plans to form the region into a single market and production base by 2015.
"We must back up what we say on the international stage, with action at the national level. Otherwise, ASEAN‘s efforts will be just like words in the wind."
Agung Laksono, Indonesian House Speaker, told reporters that his House "is in the process of studying the Charter carefully, because the House wants to see if the Charter can be implemented indeed and is practicable."
He expressed confidence of the Charter‘s eventual ratification by the House later this year. The Charter is expected to take effect at the Bangkok Summit in December.
ASEAN‘s members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Editor: An
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com (August 20, 2008)