SEA, China, Japan, Korea back RP takeover of Asean chair

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, Japan and South Korea — or the so-called "ASEAN + 3" — yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to support the Philippines in its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Manila is prepared to assume the chairmanship of ASEAN after the term of Malaysia expires in 2006.

The Philippines is currently the vice chair of ASEAN and is taking over the revolving leadership of the regional grouping after Myanmar announced its decision to relinquish the position two weeks ago.

Myanmar said 2006 will be a critical year for the country and wants to devote its full attention to national reconciliation efforts and the democratization process.

Asked if he sees Manila hosting the ASEAN under a parliamentary form of government in 2006, Romulo said any proposed amendments to the Constitution and shift to a different form of government will have to be submitted to the people for judgment. But the shift to a new form of government will not in any way affect the country’s hosting of the ASEAN next year.

The foreign affairs chief accompanied ASEAN ambassadors and chargés d’ affaires in a courtesy call to President Arroyo in Malacañang yesterday.

The affair was the highlight of the 38th founding anniversary activities of the ASEAN, which is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Philippines is one of the five founding members, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

The anniversary celebration kicked off with the ceremonial raising of flags of the 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN flag at the main entrance of the Department of Foreign Affairs building. It was followed by the opening of a photo exhibit and a diplomatic reception at the Bulwagang Blas F. Ople.

DFA Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Susan Castrence said this was among the first ASEAN gatherings held in the DFA since the Philippines took over the vice chairmanship of the regional grouping.

"Our assumption of this role, as well as that of chairman when Malaysia eventually passes the baton to us in 2006, comes at a time when efforts continue to build the foundations of the ASEAN community, craft an ASEAN charter, and secure a central role for ASEAN in the face of an East Asian regionalization," Castrence said in a speech before the ASEAN ambassadors, DFA officials and members of the diplomatic community.

She stressed that the Philippines will remain firm in implementing its commitments to the ASEAN, especially as it has a determining influence in the conduct of the Philippines’ foreign relations.

"More and more Philippine foreign policy are being made in the context of ASEAN," she said.

Romulo also emphasized that the ASEAN has adopted the principle of "preventive diplomacy" and this is, in fact, one of its key achievements over the last 38 years.

Preventive diplomacy, he explained, is a strong commitment of member countries to ensuring that peace is foremost in the agenda of the association.

"We are one family. We have the ASEAN Economic Community, the ASEAN Security Community, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community and many projects that will implement these programs to make them a reality," Romulo said.

Meanwhile, Washington has expressed its full support to the ASEAN + 3 during the anniversary activities yesterday.

"ASEAN has become very important both within the bloc and outside it," said Darryl Johnson, acting Chargé d’ Affaires of the US Embassy in Manila.

Johnson, a retired ambassador whose last posting was in Thailand, said that the ASEAN member countries have also been engaged in consultation with each other on issues like trade and tariff.

"There is increased information and sharing of information," he added.

Castrence agreed that the spectrum of cooperation on which ASEAN confidently rests today encompasses a wide range of political, economic and functional fields.

"The many successes of ASEAN in these diverse sectors ultimately redound to the benefit of the peoples ASEAN has committed to serve," she said.