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SINGAPORE: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) risks being sidelined if its efforts to spur faster and deeper integration falter.
So it should press forward and not be held back by some members in the grouping, said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the opening of the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Singapore on Monday.
Mr Lee also countered criticism that the 10-member bloc is just a "talk-shop".
A major test at this meeting will be the dispute between member nations Cambodia and Thailand over territory near the Preah Vihear temple.
ASEAN foreign ministers discussed the dispute issue on Sunday night, said Prime Minister Lee, and they secured assurances from Cambodia and Thailand that both would exercise utmost restraint and abide by international obligations to resolve the issue amicably.
"More importantly, they agreed to place ASEAN's facilities at the disposal of Cambodia and Thailand, should this be needed for an early resolution to the issue," said Mr Lee.
"This reflects a growing sense that ASEAN is no longer just a 'talk-shop', but a maturing community of nations prepared to act to advance its collective interests," added Mr Lee.
The grouping will also go ahead with the ASEAN Charter's implementation even though three countries have yet to endorse the document, said Mr Lee.
Besides strengthening ASEAN, Mr Lee said the group should not lose sight of the evolving regional and international landscape.
Singapore is set to host informal six-party talks on the North Korea nuclear issue on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum.
However, ASEAN should not take its relevance for granted, a point which was also raised by Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister, George Yeo.
Mr Yeo said: "With the rapid rise of China and India, ASEAN has to deepen its integration to stay competitive and relevant. Beyond the political, security and economic concerns, we need to bring ASEAN down to the men in the street."
On Myanmar, Mr Lee said ASEAN played an important role to facilitate humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. And it would also continue to foster trust and cooperation between the Myanmar government and international organisations.
- CNA/ir
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