ASEAN must always act proactively to engage in the solution of various `residual issues"
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - Five main topics will be discussed in the 19th ASEAN three-day summit from November 17-19, 2011, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in his opening address on Thursday.

In his speech to open the summit at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNCC), President Yudhoyono said the first topic of discussion was related to the strengthening of the three pillars of ASEAN community namely politics and security, economy, and social culture.

"We have to ensure the achievement of the entire plan of action for the three pillars to complement each other in a balanced way before 2015," the president said.

The second topic, according to President Yudhoyono, was the strengthening of regional economic growth in order to stand against the volatility of the global economy.

President Yudhoyono expressed hope that ASEAN could ensure the realization of ASEAN connectivity master plan for interstate and inter-region connection.

"With an effective connectivity, the interstate trade and investment will increase with an inclusive and sustainable economic growth," the president noted.

He said the third topic of discussion was the ASEAN initiative to play its major role in more effectively and efficiently arranging regional cooperation architecture.

The fourth topic is about Southeast Asian and East Asian regional security and stability.

"ASEAN must always act proactively to engage in the solution of various residual issues that has been the limiting factor in the acceleration of ASEAN cooperation," President Yudhoyono said.

And the last or the fifth topic to be discussed in the 19th ASEAN Summit is the strengthening of the ASEAN global role in accordance with ASEAN community among the global states community.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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