ASEAN Community in the US celebrates ASEAN Day
On July 25, Embassies of 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAAN) in the US tendered the anniversary of ASEAN establishment (ASEAN Day). US Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN), Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Patrick Murphy, and representatives from the Administration, Congress, business community, think-tanks, press, and NGOs attended the reception. Appointed Ambassador of Viet Nam to the US Ha Kim Ngoc also joined this event.
Speaking on behalf of the ASEAN Ambassadors, Ambassador of Singapore Ashok Kumar Mirpuri emphasized that over the past 50 years, ASEAN had steadily progressed from an association to a community playing a central role in the evolving regional architecture. Singapore, the chair country of ASEAN 2018, together with other ASEAN members, would further promote the dynamic development of ASEAN community, strengthen the cooperation with external partners for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region in the spirit of this year theme, “Resilient and Innovative”.
In their remarks, US Representative Joaquin Castro and Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Patrick Murphy highlighted the strong development of ASEAN Community, which had become a strategic partner of the US. US – ASEAN relations played an important role in promoting the two sides’ prosperity as well as promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in the Asia – Pacific region and the world. Strengthening the US – ASEAN Strategic Partnership was one of top priorities of the US, which reflected the US commitments to the region.
At the event, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc met the ASEAN Ambassadors, representatives from the Administration, Congress, business community, and think-tanks, agreed to cooperate in deepening the ASEAN – US Strategic Partnership and taking the Viet Nam – US Comprehensive Partnership to a new height.
Following the official reception program, guests had opportunities to enjoy different cuisines from each of the ten ASEAN countries./.
