ASEAN chief urges ‘ASEAN Identity’ among members

BANGKOK, January 28 (TNA) - Visiting ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan has urged member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to put more efforts in creating a common identity among ASEAN citizens, on top of the 10 nationalities in the region. In his special interview with Thai News Agency (TNA) in Bangkok on Friday, Dr. Surin highlighted that it is now a crucial time to aim at creating another higher, larger identity in the 10-member ASEAN bloc, on top of existing national-level identities, saying this is critical to the success of the formation of the ASEAN Single Community by 2015. While pointing that the process may take time due to pending diversity in the region, he suggested it should be possible through close cooperation among member states, including those in education, sports and culture, which will enable people to learn each other better and to appreciate the diversity among themselves. The ASEAN chief, who is a former Thai foreign minister, also called on ASEAN governments to further communicate a sense of ASEAN ownership down to the people. (TNA)