SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has urged
Southeast Asian leaders to manage potential flashpoints carefully
to preserve regional peace and stability.
He said the security environment has been stable but
warned that peace cannot be taken for granted.
Mr Lee made these points when he addressed world
leaders on the final day of the ASEAN Summit in Bali.
With the United States and Russia now part of the East Asia Summit
(EAS), Prime Minister Lee noted that the forum now accounts for
more than half of the world's population and gross domestic
product.
The EAS also plays an important role in building a stable,
prosperous and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.
Mr Lee believes that after six years, it's useful to review its
role.
One aspect that can be looked into is strengthening the mechanisms
to follow up on decisions made by the leaders.
The leaders also noted the significant progress seen in ASEAN's
dialogue process with India.
The continent is now ASEAN's sixth largest trading partner.
Next year, the ASEAN-India dialogue will mark 20 years of
achievements with a special event in the Indian capital, New Delhi,
as well as the ASEAN-India Car Rally.
The 19th Asean Summit in Bali may be over but much work lies ahead
for ministers and officials, especially in the area of ASEAN
connectivity.
That's because there's little time left before the target to
achieve the ASEAN community vision by 2015.
- CNA/cc