Asean must strengthen external ties in new growth areas, even as integration continues: PM Wong
[KUALA LUMPUR] Asean must deepen and expand its external partnerships, especially in new growth areas, even as it steps up its own internal integration, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (May 26).
Doing so will help the bloc build a more secure, stable and prosperous region amid an increasingly challenging environment, he said on the first day of the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Noting that Asean was formed at the height of the Cold War, PM Wong said that while the circumstances are different, today's great power rivalry feels like a 'new Cold War'.
The bloc must therefore strengthen its integration to ensure it has 'the manoeuvring space and the agency to continue charting our own destiny forward'.
To achieve this, Asean must demonstrate value to its partners and reinforce its centrality, he said, suggesting three ways to do so.
Strengthening external partnerships
The first is to deepen its engagement with existing partners.
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In the region, this includes China, Japan, South Korea and India. Further abroad, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are also 'very keen to do more with Asean', said PM Wong.
The bloc should engage them, particularly in new growth areas like the digital and green economy, he added.
Asean leaders and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao (far right) meet in Kuala Lumpur for the first day of the Asean Summit. PHOTO: CMG
Second, Asean should explore new partnerships as Asia remains at the centre of global growth 'despite all the issues that we face in the world'.
'We are still a region of tremendous dynamism and vitality, and there are many countries that would like to engage South-east Asia in a bigger way,' he said.
Even if some of these countries may not be ready to become formal partners, Asean should engage them 'in specific areas where there is mutual interest', he said.
The bloc should also explore 'flexible configurations' for cooperation, as it is doing with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Third, Asean should enhance the value of its existing platforms, said PM Wong.
One way to do this is to implement the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific in 'concrete and practical terms'.
'This can help forge habits of consultation and cooperation, manage differences and prevent outright conflict,' said PM Wong.
He added that this must especially be done through the East Asia Summit, which brings together all the major powers with interests in the region.
'Although these platforms cannot solve all the issues, they help to foster collaboration and dialogue,' he said.
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