Speeches

REMARKS BY

Y.B. DATO' SRI ANIFAH AMAN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALAYSIA

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 44^TH ASEAN DAY

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY WISMA PUTRA

MONDAY, 8 AUGUST 2011

(Delivered by Y.B. Datuk Richard Riot Jaem,

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia)

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Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman

Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Distinguished Guests,

Members of the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me at the outset, welcome all of you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wisma Putra and thank you for joining us here this morning to commemorate the 44^th ASEAN Day. The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs could not be here today and I have been tasked to represent him.  With your forbearance, I wish to deliver the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs’ remarks.

2.          The Ministry of Foreign Affairs attaches great importance to this flag raising ceremony. As such, this event which has been held since 2005 is currently in its 7^th edition. Its annual convening is testimonial to the worth that we place on ASEAN which is the cornerstone of our foreign policy.

3.          As you may know, the theme for this year’s ASEAN Day is “Unity in Diversity”.  This shows our resolve that in working towards the realisation of an ASEAN Community by 2015, we value the diversity that can be found within ASEAN.   

4.          The flag raising ceremony, though modest, is an important event to raise the public awareness on ASEAN.  The heart of this event lies in the ASEAN flag itself. Our flag has been designed to signify greater ASEAN friendship and solidarity. It is also a symbol of Member States’ support for the principles and endeavors of ASEAN. Indeed, the ASEAN flag manifests a genuine partnership of ten different Member States striving towards a common goal despite the diversity.  This partnership in diversity has in fact evolved into an ASEAN identity.

5.          To further increase the sense of ASEAN identity through the flag, from today henceforth, the guidelines on the use of the ASEAN flag will be implemented. What this means for ASEAN is that the ASEAN flag would be flown permanently beside the national flags of all ASEAN Member States at all ASEAN National Secretariats, diplomatic and consular missions in Member States and Dialogue Partners including in all Member States of the European Union, and at the Member States’ missions at the United Nations offices.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

6.          The vision of ASEAN Leaders to build an ASEAN Community by 2015 calls for a well-connected ASEAN. Fulfilling this vision will contribute towards a more competitive and resilient ASEAN, as it will bring peoples, goods, services and capitals closer together. An enhanced connectivity within ASEAN is essential to achieve the ASEAN Community, which is made of the successful ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

7.          In this regard, I am encouraged that ASEAN has developed a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity which, among others, is envisaged at providing due emphasis on physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity.  The implementation of this master plan will eventually raise the standard of living of all people within ASEAN.

8.          As ASEAN strives to be the region of opportunity and upward mobility for its people, ASEAN would need to overcome the challenges that it faces in the new global economic environment.  To achieve this, ASEAN has identified four pillars in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint.  Therefore, in order to work towards our desired goal, ASEAN needs to have a single market and production base, a competitive economic region, an equitable economic development and an integration into the global economy.

9.          Malaysia is excited that with the implementation of the commitments agreed under the AEC Blueprint, ASEAN is expected to achieve its goal of creating a single regional integrated market in four years time.  With more positive developments, intra-ASEAN trade would be more open and robust.  We are also pleased to note the positive impact of the various ASEAN free trade agreements (FTAs) with Dialogue Partners.  The implementation of these agreements provides even greater economic opportunities and market access to the people and businesses in this region.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

10.      Finally, allow me once again, on behalf of Wisma Putra, to convey our appreciation for availing yourself to be here with us for this year’s edition of the flag raising ceremony. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the Wisma Putra Choir Group and others for their respective roles in making this ceremony a success. I am happy to note that as in the past, this year’s celebration continues to see the participation of those from all walks of life such as school children, university students, parliamentarians, government officials, civil societies and other stakeholders.  Before I close, allow me to reiterate that much credit has to be given to ASEAN for being the engines of progress that create opportunity and economic growth for our region.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Happy ASEAN Day!

Thank you.