Lanka recognizes ASEAN region for transactional commerce

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Sri Lanka recognizes enormous growth potential in the ASEAN region and this region needs to be developed nurtured and promoted for better integration of transactional commerce, External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris said.

Regional cooperation facilitates great deal of closer relationships in terms of trade, tourism and investment, he said at the ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony held at the Indonesian Embassy premises yesterday.

The ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony will mark the commencement of ASEAN Diplomatic mission flying the ASEAN flag along with their respective flags.

The flag represents hopes for peace and stability, dynamism, integrity and prosperity within the bond of friendship and solidarity in the region.

“The event is a symbolic of unity and integrity of ASEAN where the organization has grown to transformed changing world to adopt and reshape a critical role in bringing relevant nations together.

It adopts a model to facilitate cultural integration and economic progress,” he said.

The ASEAN could be considered as a policy framework to harness harmony in the region while recognizing the respective cultures in working towards national objectives. As Sri Lanka has laid down a strong foundation to build upon with political and economic stability, the role of ASEAN is important for the country to strengthen cordial relationships among member countries, Prof Peiris said.

Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN has been transforming itself into an organization that can overcome challenges and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

It ventures for the best contributions to maintenance of peace and security as well as prosperity in the region while promoting peace and stability.

ASEAN established the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) as means of multilateral dialogue convened by ASEAN.

The participants of ARF are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as well as Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Timor Leste and United States of America.

ARF has become the primary forum for security dialogue in the Asia Pacific, after being complemented by East Asia and Pacific countries and involving Defence Ministries in addition to Foreign Ministries.

It targets at promoting preventive diplomacy by developing further cooperation against current security issues in the region such as terrorism, maritime piracy, trafficking in person and other transnational crimes.