Myanmar proposes priorities for ASEAN Community

Nay Pyi Taw (Xinhua) - Myanmar President U Thein Sein on Sunday proposed a number of priorities for 2014 in a bid to accomplish the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015.

"We must continue to move forward with our mission to accomplish our common objectives of creating a peaceful, people- oriented, dynamic and outward-looking community," Thein Sein said, addressing the opening ceremony of the 24th leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Myanmar holds the ASEAN rotating presidency this year, and hosts the ASEAN summit for the first time since it joined the regional bloc in 1997.

According to the president, a top priority will be expediting implementation of the remaining tasks in the Blueprints for ASEAN Community through undertaking initiatives such as promoting good governance in ASEAN, making progress on ASEAN Agreement for Protection of Rights of Migrant Workers and concluding the ASEAN Communication Master Plan.

Accelerating the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity and Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan II is also top on this year's agenda, he said.

Another priority is to exert more efforts to promote resilience of ASEAN economies and equitable economic development.

This can be achieved by taking concrete actions to enhance productivity, competitiveness and innovation in ASEAN, especially in the small and medium sized enterprises (SME), and the establishment of the ASEAN SME Development Fund as outlined in the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint, he explained.

Priority should also be given to reconsolidating ASEAN in addressing regional and global issues of common concern through increased cooperation and close coordination with all stakeholders.

"In this respect, we should consolidate our collective efforts on climate change issues, disaster management, traditional and non- traditional security issues, and other subjects of common interest and concern," he said.

The regional bloc should also double its efforts in reducing poverty, strengthening social security nets, forging a common identity, building a caring, sharing and harmonious society and promoting inclusive sharing of the benefits of the region's growth, he said.

The heads of ASEAN member states agreed at the 9th ASEAN Summit in 2003 that an ASEAN Community shall be established. At the 12th ASEAN Summit in 2007, the leaders affirmed their strong commitment to facilitating the establishment of the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015.

The ASEAN Community comprises three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Earlier on Saturday, ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said on the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN Summit that nearly 80 percent had been achieved in the economic pillar and over 90 percent in the socio-cultural segment.

"It is most timely to further consolidate the achievements that we have made so far and continue building upon them," Thein Sein said.