Vietnam Ratifies ASEAN Charter

Vietnam has become the fifth nation to ratify the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Charter, after Singapore, Brunei, Laos and Malaysia, participants at the ministry of foreign affair’s regular press conference was told.

 

President Nguyen Minh Triet had ratified the regional association’s first common legal and institutional framework on March 6 and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem sent the letter of ratification to ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan and foreign ministers of its member countries one week later, the spokesman Le Dung said at the gathering March 20.

 

The diplomat said Vietnam had made active contributions to the making of the Charter and the ratification proves the government’s strong commitment to accelerate regional integration.

 

The Charter, which sets out principals and rules for ASEAN’s operation, is expected to help the association become a closer and more effective socio-political entity.

 

The five remaining ASEAN members are expected to ratify the Charter by the end of the year.

 

It is due to take effect next January.

 

The document will be amended and adjusted every five years to be par with the bloc’s development. (Pioneer, Website of CPV)