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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is chairing the 13th ASEAN Summit, has stressed that the key objective of the event is to deepen integration between the grouping's 10 members.
This is why the signing of the ASEAN Charter and the adoption of the economic blueprint are critical steps, said Mr Lee in an email interview with Channel
NewsAsia.
Mr Lee added that the Myanmar issue should be seen in the larger context.
He said ASEAN is naturally concerned about the well-being of its members because it is a strong and integrated organisation.
At 40, ASEAN is at an important juncture, said PM Lee.
And to advance in a rapidly changing world, ASEAN has to be strong and united, he said.
So the ASEAN Charter will help transform the grouping into a more cohesive and rules-based organisation, while the economic blueprint will pave the way for a single market and production base in the region by 2015.
Mr Lee explained that the Charter will make ASEAN a more cohesive and dynamic organisation, promoting a culture of effective implementation of ASEAN agreements.
It will put in place a rules-based framework for the organisation, including measures for monitoring compliance, and provisions for dispute settlement.
ASEAN's institutions and decision-making process will also be streamlined.
Taken together, these measures are a strong signal that ASEAN is moving ahead as a group and taking decisive action to translate its plans into concrete outcomes.
"What we are doing now is re-setting our directions by a few degrees," said Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo.
"Initially you may ask, 'what's the difference?'. Well, step by step, five years' time, 10 years' time, 20 years' time, it will be a different end point for ASEAN," he added.
"But, whatever rules we devise for ourselves, for the most difficult political issues, it is leadership that matters," said Mr Yeo.
Along with the ASEAN Summit proper will be the East Asia Summit (EAS) which comprises ASEAN as well as Myanmar's closest neighbours.
Mr Lee said the EAS countries have a keen interest in the situation in Myanmar.
The meeting will be an opportunity for the leaders to have a frank exchange of views.
Mr Lee said the Summit hopes to hear from Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein on how the military government plans to move forward.
Prime Minister Lee has also invited UN Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari, to brief the East Asia Summit leaders on Myanmar.
Mr Lee stressed that a key outcome of the EAS meeting will be a strong endorsement for Dr Gambari's mission.
And this will help push forward the process of dialogue and national reconciliation in Myanmar.
Another top issue to be discussed at the two summits will be climate change.
To mitigate its harmful effects, Singapore believes countries need a global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and this can only be settled within a UN framework.
Minister Yeo said: "You cannot restrict your own emissions when others are busily pumping away carbons into the atmosphere.
"So the US and big countries like China and India must be brought in. There will be some very hard bargaining, (but) you need in the end, rules that are simple enough to be enforced and those who are in breach, either shamed or pressured into changing their behaviour.
"The negotiations will not be easy. The idea is to have a good launch in Bali, setting out clear terms of reference."
Prime Minister Lee believes ASEAN can play its part.
So, at the ASEAN Summit, the group's leaders will sign declarations on key areas of environmental cooperation and reaffirm their support for broader UN efforts to tackle climate change.
The discussions in Singapore will help build up the momentum to forge consensus on the way forward.
Analysts say this will ensure a good UN meeting in December, which Indonesia is hosting. - CNA/ir
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