Singapore outlines priorities for ASEAN chairmanship in 2018
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has outlined his country’s key priorities when it chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Singapore (VNA) – Singaporean Prime Minister LeeHsien Loong has outlined his country’s key priorities when it chairs theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte handed overthe ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore at the closing ceremony of the 31st ASENSummit in Manila, the Philippines, on November 14.
In his speech, PM Lee said Singapore will seekto ensure the group promotes and upholds a rules-based regional order to betterdeal with emerging security challenges such as cyber security, transnationalcrime and terrorism.
It will also steer fellow members to press onwith regional economic integration and enhance connectivity so as to keep theregion competitive and prosperous. The country will find innovative ways tomanage and make use of digital technologies and equip ASEAN citizens withskills and capabilities.
He said the goal is for ASEAN to remain acentral and dynamic driving force in the region that can deal with challengesand opportunities.
Under Singapore’s chairmanship, ASEAN will alsocontinue to build relations with external partners, particularly by organisingspecial summits in Australia and India.
2018 will also mark 45 years of ASEAN-Japanrelations and 25 years of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). As the ASEAN Chair,Singapore will continue promoting cooperation at ASEAN-led forums like ASEAN 1,ASEAN 3, ARF, ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and East Asia Summit, Leeadded.-VNA
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Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
