ID :
26058
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 18:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/26058
The shortlink copeid
CHARTER FULLY RATIFIED, ASEAN EMBARKS ON NEW ERA By Mohd Nasir Yusoff
JAKARTA, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The ratification of the Asean Charter by all 10
member states, completed with the latest by Indonesia Tuesday, assures the
entry into force of the historic agreement before the end of this year.
Asean secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuwan, in welcoming Indonesia's
ratification of the charter, said the decision of the Indonesian House of
Representatives assured the entry into force of the historic Asean
agreement.
"History was made when the Asean leaders signed the charter on Nov 20 2007.
When they next meet at the 14th Asean Summit in Bangkok in December, the leaders
will be able to toast to a new Asean era," Surin said in a statement.
"We in Asean thank Indonesia and all other Asean member states for their
support for an expeditious ratification of the charter," he said, stressing that
Asean would now be a rules-based, people-oriented and more integrated
entity.
After the formal entry into force of the charter, Asean's
community-building
would shift to a higher gear with full steam forward, Surin said, adding that
"given the current financial turmoil around the world, a real prospect of a more
integrated and solid Asean will be welcomed by the international
community".
So far, seven Asean member states have deposited their instruments of
ratification with the secretary-general of Asean.
The Philippine Senate approved the ratification of the charter on Oct 8,
with only one dissenting vote.
In mid-September, the Thai Parliament passed a law to enable the Thai
Government to undertake necessary legal follow-ups to the Asean Charter and the
new legislation is now awaiting the signature of the Thai king and its
promulgation in the Royal Gazette.
Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will deposit their instruments of
ratification with the Asean secretary-general, and the charter shall enter into
force on the 30th day following the deposit of the 10th instrument.
"We now look forward to an early entry into force of the Asean Charter
before the Asean leaders meet in Bangkok for their summit," Surin said.
He thanked Asean's dialogue partners for their faith and confidence in
Asean and its peoples. The United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan have
announced the appointment of their respective ambassadors to Asean to work
directly with the Asean secretary-general and the Asean Secretariat here.
-- BERNAMA
member states, completed with the latest by Indonesia Tuesday, assures the
entry into force of the historic agreement before the end of this year.
Asean secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuwan, in welcoming Indonesia's
ratification of the charter, said the decision of the Indonesian House of
Representatives assured the entry into force of the historic Asean
agreement.
"History was made when the Asean leaders signed the charter on Nov 20 2007.
When they next meet at the 14th Asean Summit in Bangkok in December, the leaders
will be able to toast to a new Asean era," Surin said in a statement.
"We in Asean thank Indonesia and all other Asean member states for their
support for an expeditious ratification of the charter," he said, stressing that
Asean would now be a rules-based, people-oriented and more integrated
entity.
After the formal entry into force of the charter, Asean's
community-building
would shift to a higher gear with full steam forward, Surin said, adding that
"given the current financial turmoil around the world, a real prospect of a more
integrated and solid Asean will be welcomed by the international
community".
So far, seven Asean member states have deposited their instruments of
ratification with the secretary-general of Asean.
The Philippine Senate approved the ratification of the charter on Oct 8,
with only one dissenting vote.
In mid-September, the Thai Parliament passed a law to enable the Thai
Government to undertake necessary legal follow-ups to the Asean Charter and the
new legislation is now awaiting the signature of the Thai king and its
promulgation in the Royal Gazette.
Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will deposit their instruments of
ratification with the Asean secretary-general, and the charter shall enter into
force on the 30th day following the deposit of the 10th instrument.
"We now look forward to an early entry into force of the Asean Charter
before the Asean leaders meet in Bangkok for their summit," Surin said.
He thanked Asean's dialogue partners for their faith and confidence in
Asean and its peoples. The United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan have
announced the appointment of their respective ambassadors to Asean to work
directly with the Asean secretary-general and the Asean Secretariat here.
-- BERNAMA