Papua New Guinea wants full ASEAN 'card'

pia.gov.ph, 30 March 2009

Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan (30 March) -- Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in his message to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the state dinner tendered by the Philippine government for the visiting head of state and his delegation at Shangri-la's Boracay Resorts & Spa here, said he would like his country to become a full-pledged member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Prime Minister said that Papua New Guinea is seriously contemplating in seeking full membership in the ASEAN and he is seeking the positive support of the Philippines towards this move.

Somare, the first prime minister of his country, said his country is willing to comply with the requirements towards full ASEAN membership. Right now, Papua New Guinea is a special member with an observer status.

Somare pointed out the importance of having closer relations with other countries as these result in "fruitful exchange of mutual interest and concern."

ASEAN member-countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok by the five original Member Countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January 1984, Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999.

The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN, agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.

In 2003, the ASEAN Leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community shall be established comprising three pillars, namely, ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Somare's visit to the Philippines is expected to enhance bilateral relations with the country and the Philippines represented by Secretary Arthur Yap and PNG Minister of Fisheries will sign a memorandum of agreement on fisheries development.

Aside from the agreement on fisheries development, the two countries have been working together in other areas within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Forum, South-West Dialogue, and so-called coral triangle that also involve Malaysia, Indonesia, East Timor and Solomon Islands.