ASEAN summits kick off in Laos, focusing on building dynamic community

VIENTIANE - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) opened its 28th and 29th summits here Tuesday in the Lao capital, with the theme of "Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community".

At the opening ceremony, Thongloun Sisoulith, Lao prime minister and ASEAN's rotating chair, called on member states to make sustained and concerted efforts in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the three Community Blueprints so as to advance ASEAN Community.

"In this spirit, the Lao PDR has adopted the theme 'Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community' for its 2016 ASEAN Chairmanship," he said, adding that his country has identified eight priorities covering the three pillars of the ASEAN Community.

Thongloun said the eight priorities will be translated into various frameworks and documents, such as Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, Initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan III and ASEAN Trade Facilitation Framework.

ASEAN, the sixth largest economy in the world, has become a region of peace and stability, providing favorable conditions for sustainable regional economic development, he noted.

Following the opening ceremony, the 28th and 29th ASEAN summits will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

As for the related leaders' meetings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, namely the ASEAN+1 Summits, Summit on Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit, and the East Asia Summit, ASEAN member countries will discuss cooperation with their dialogue partners.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thongloun also mentioned that while ASEAN has continued to strengthen its internal cooperation, the bloc will strive to expand relations with its external partners.