By IANS,
Hua Hin (Thailand) : Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Friday called on ASEAN leaders to set a clear vision of what the association wants to achieve in the year 2015 and beyond, Xinhua reported.
At the opening ceremony of the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related summits here, Abhisit said: “Much has been discussed about realising an ASEAN Community – one that is a community of action, a community of connectivity, and a community of people.
“What we need to do is to collectively set a clear vision of what we want to achieve in the year 2015 and beyond.”
Abhisit said his vision of ASEAN is a community of action which is able to act decisively and in a timely manner to threats and challenges facing ASEAN.
The official theme for the summit is “Enhancing Connectivity, Empowering Peoples”, which underlines the importance attached to the improvement of connectivity, both physically and spiritually, as well as the betterment of the lives of all ASEAN people.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, as well as the host, Thailand, while the six dialogue partners are China, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
Highlights for the summits include the inauguration of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, the adoption of a declaration on climate change to reaffirm ASEAN position in the negotiation under the UN Frameworks Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as the adoption of a declaration on education cooperation to achieve an ASEAN Community.