The 10th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit opened in Vientiane, capital of Laos, on Monday morning under the theme "Advancing a Secure and Dynamic ASEAN Family Through Greater Solidarity, Economic Integration and Social Progress."
Lao Prime Minister Bounnhang Vorachith, chairman of the two-day summit, said at the opening ceremony that they hoped to achieve great success and to mark an important milestone towards their goals.
He said the finalization of the plans of action for security and socio-cultural communities, to be jointly signed by leaders at the end of the summit, constitutes a significant achievement.
He said that since the last event was held in Bali, Indonesia, the association had recorded many important successes in the fields of political, security and socio-economic development cooperation.
Support for Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to be admitted as members testifies to its solidarity and unity, he said.
He added that ASEAN cooperation has been further strengthened, while the basic and sacrosanct principles of consensus and non-interference in internal affairs have been preserved.
The leaders of the 10 member nations signed the Vientiane Action Program (VAP), a six-year plan to establish an ASEAN Community in 2020.
The VAP focuses on deepening regional integration and narrowing the development gap amongst members.
The member countries of ASEAN are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Premier Wen Jiabao met Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea in Vientiane on Monday to discuss East Asian cooperation as well as regional and international issues. The three leaders are here to attend the 8th ASEAN+3 Summit.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2004)
