ASEAN Sec-Gen congratulates Brunei for job well-done

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Asean Secretary-General Le Luong Minh praised the role of the current Asean chair stating that Brunei has promoted the unity and solidarity of Asean under the theme of “Our People, Our Future Together.”

In commenting on the role of the Asean chair, Minh said that Brunei has initiated several programmes to push the economic integration of Asean as well as the community building. Brunei also promotes the youth’s voluntary work.

Minh also answered a wide range of questions from editors and opinion leaders attending the 2nd ERIA Editors Roundtable held yesterday. The question-and-answer session lasted about 90 minutes.

On the South China Sea issue, he said the conflict does not represent the whole spectrum of Asean-China relations which are multi-dimensional and healthy. He reiterated that Asean and China have reached a good understanding and both sides have begun to negotiate on the code of conduct in South China Sea.

He also touched upon the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is an Asean-led process. “It is a building block for Asean economic integration,” he said, adding that RCEP is not competing with the Trans Pacific Partnership, which is US-led.

On the Syria crisis, he said that Asean hopes that there will be a peaceful resolution there.