ASEAN Diplomatic Missions in Vienna mark 38th ASEAN Foundation Day

In solidarity with Southeast Asian capitals and embassies around the world, the Diplomatic Missions of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in Austria celebrated last 8 August the 38th Foundation Day of ASEAN, at a reception and cultural programme organized by the Philippines-chaired ASEAN Ladies Circle in Vienna (ALCV). Of the ten incumbent members of the organization, only these five Southeast Asian States currently maintain resident missions in Austria.

Held at the Indonesian Official Residence in Vienna's 19th district, the ALCV-initiated event marked the revival of the commemoration of ASEAN Day in Austria.

The ALCV's officers, led by its President, Madame Conception Guanzon Garcia, opened the proceedings with their rendition of the Ryan Cayabyab-penned "ASEAN Song of Unity". This was followed by the main cultural programme, which featured dance numbers by the ALCV members, as well as presentation by each of the five ASEAN diplomatic mission. The evening's highlights included solo song numbers rendered by ranking officials of each Embassy, led by Ambassador Garcia and Indonesian Ambassador Thomas Aquino Samodra Sriwidjaja. Guests then dined on a sumptuous buffet of typical Southeast Asian dishes contributed by the ASEAN Embassies.

In his capacity as Dean of the ASEAN Heads of Mission, Philippine Ambassador to Austria Victor G. Garcia III addressed the gathering and recalled the many gains that ASEAN has realized since the organization's establishment on 8 August 1967. In particular, Ambassador Garcia underscored the important role that ASEAN had come to assume in advancing regional security, political stability, and economic progress in a United Nations and the UN Secretary General, on many occasions. Ambassador Garcia re-affirmed the Philiipine's strong commitment to the realization of the ideals of ASEAN, as the country prepares to assume the Group's Chairmanship in 2006.

The calebration of ASEAN Day is one of many projects being lined up by the ALCV, in support of the work of the Southeast Asian Embassies in Vienna. Preparations are currently underway for the staging of an ASEAN Food Festival and cooking demonstration by the ASEAN Ambassador is one of Vienna's major hotels in late events and other activities aimed at promoting ASEAN and fostering camaraderie among Southeast Asians in Austria are also in the pipeline.