The Nation
Editorial
As the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia drags on, the regional grouping should give full support to Indonesian observers
In less than two weeks, Indonesia will host the first of a series of high-profile summit meetings over the next seven months before its Asean chairmanship ends. It is within this short time frame that Indonesia’s leadership credentials in the regional grouping will be tested.
Jakarta has set out with a very big ambition to transform Asean into a global game-changer - something no other Asean member has so far dared to think of. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa offers hope to the new Asean because of his intellect and vitality. Indonesia’s move to forge a more integrated and significant Asean also occurs at a time when there is a domestic consolidation of democracy and steady economic progress.
For the past few months, the world’s third largest democracy has been trying to pursue several objectives set forth at the beginning of the year. One of them is to prepare Asean for the 2015 deadline for regional economic integration. Asean aims to be a single economic community with over 700 million citizens by that date. Indonesia – now an emerging global player – wants to ensure that Asean will not be left behind and that the grouping’s voice will be heard on the international stage.
However, the ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is threatening the leadership credentials of the current Asean chair and its overall outlook.
No comments:
Post a Comment