Malaysian Ambassador: Not expecting 100% perfection but ASEAN will always overcome internal and external challenges

As the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 58) and related meetings took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai took the time to share with TG&VN the special highlights of the meeting and his optimism about the Association's ability to overcome difficult times.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the opening session of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 9. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

How does the Ambassador evaluate the 58th AMM Conference with 24 ministerial meetings - an impressive number, as well as the significance of the conference for ASEAN in the current context?

The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM 58) and related meetings are of particular importance in the current context. For a long time, AMM has not attracted the full participation of major countries, but this year is different. This year, the AMM 58 framework has the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, along with many foreign ministers of partner countries present in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai gives an interview to TG&VN about AMM 58 on July 10. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

This is a very significant moment for ASEAN, reflecting the Association’s growing role. The fact that the 58th AMM attracted such high-level participation from the world’s leading powers shows that ASEAN is increasingly becoming the focus of global attention.

This also demonstrates Malaysia’s effective role as ASEAN Chair. The issues discussed this time are very close to regional peace and stability, and all relevant parties have actively participated.

We are very pleased that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son is leading the Vietnamese delegation to attend these important conferences in Kuala Lumpur. I believe that Vietnam's contributions to these conferences will be of great significance to regional peace and stability.

ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting on July 10. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

From those special things, how does the Ambassador evaluate the central role of ASEAN, an important value that has been shaped by ASEAN for many decades?

ASEAN centrality must always be at the forefront of our relations with external partners. We need to clearly reaffirm that ASEAN welcomes the presence and participation of major powers and partners in the region - but such participation must be in line with ASEAN's orientation and perspective.

“Centrality” here means that ASEAN must have the decisive say in shaping ASEAN-led cooperation frameworks.

ASEAN does not want to be forced to choose sides. We are an open region, trading and cooperating with all partners in the world, and we do not choose one side over another. This is the core message that ASEAN needs to continue to send strongly to the international community.

Within the framework of the 58th AMM, the signing ceremony of the document of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) between Algeria and Uruguay and the Conference of the Commission of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) took place... According to the Ambassador, what is the important message of these events?

I think more and more countries are realizing that the TAC is an important treaty for them to strengthen their relations with ASEAN. The fact that many countries have joined the TAC is a very positive signal and affirms the importance of ASEAN in regional and global issues.

More importantly, this year we also focus on SEANWFZ – the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. This is a very clear message that ASEAN wants to send to the world powers: We do not accept any form of military use of nuclear energy in the region.

This is an extremely important message, and we hope that the major powers will respect the Association's views and stance.

The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Commission (SEANWFZ) meeting on July 8. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

How does the Ambassador assess ASEAN's internal cohesion, especially in its ability to handle internal issues and respond to external challenges?

This is an issue that we are all concerned about. At the 58th AMM, we discussed complex issues - such as the situation in Myanmar, or more recently the tension between Thailand and Cambodia.

However, I believe that thanks to the regular and close cooperation mechanisms among ASEAN leaders, we always find reasonable solutions to problems. The cooperation mechanisms ensure that no one crosses the “red line”, and that is a very remarkable achievement.

Since its establishment in 1967, ASEAN has occasionally had problems among its members, but they have always been controlled and resolved peacefully. No conflict has escalated into a major conflict. This is a historical achievement that ASEAN needs to continue to maintain and can share as a lesson with the international community, for the purpose of maintaining peace and stability for development.

One of the things that makes ASEAN admired by other regional organizations is that, despite the differences - political, cultural, linguistic - ASEAN can still unite and develop together, maintaining stability and peace for the whole region.

Of course, we cannot expect everything to be 100% perfect. There will always be problems, as they have happened before. But I believe that thanks to the ASEAN spirit, our flexibility and coordination, we will overcome them. We have many mechanisms for leaders to exchange, dialogue and find solutions together, not only for potential problems within the bloc, but also for regional issues.

ASEAN has adopted the ASEAN Vision 2045, a milestone marking a new development step for the Association. According to the Ambassador, how can Vietnam contribute to the realization of this important vision?

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 envisions an increasingly cohesive ASEAN Community. We envision a day when our peoples will see themselves not only as citizens of their own countries, but also as citizens of ASEAN – in the same way that Europeans see themselves as French, German, but also as Europeans.

We want the younger generation to become more and more connected to ASEAN. Through this, a common identity in the region will gradually be formed. Of course, each person will still retain their nationality and national identity, but along with that there will be a regional identity – something that is still lacking today.

We believe that with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, we will achieve this. Then, the youth – the people of ASEAN – will see themselves not only as citizens of their countries, but also as ASEAN citizens. That is the level of commitment that we want the next generation of ASEAN to strive for.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-malaysia-khong-ky-vong-hoan-hao-100-nhung-asean-se-luon-vuot-qua-duoc-thach-thuc-trong-ngoai-320635.html