Regional integration is at the heart of our ASEAN Community efforts. Thailand sees the
emerging ASEAN Community as another important milestone in an evolving process towards
closerregional integration.
The ASEAN Community is envisioned to be a peaceful, stable and prosperous community that
can effectively address present and future challenges, play a constructive role in the global
community and make meaningful contributions to regional and international peace and
security.
In today’s globalized world with intertwined economic interests and uncertain security
environment, a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community is both economic and
strategic necessity. A strong and successful ASEAN is in the interests of countries both within
and outside Southeast Asia.
ASEAN is a diverse region in terms of geographical locations, political systems, level of
economic development, and historical and cultural backgrounds. ASEAN Member Statesshould
work to translate the diversity into advantages and opportunities. To achieve this, Thailand
believes that it is of vital importance to maintain unity and cohesiveness in ASEAN, and look5
beyond our national interestsforlong‐term regional interests. ASEAN also needsto manage its
relations with major powersin a balanced, constructive and transparent manner to build trust
and confidence. Assuch, ASEAN will continue to maintain its centrality in the evolving regional
architecture.
Meanwhile, ASEAN should continue its outward looking policy to remain an important pillar of
peace and stability, as well as economic growth in the wider East Asia and Asia‐Pacific region.
ASEAN’s efforts to deepen regional integration and cooperation should aim towards the long‐
term goal of building an integrated East Asian region. ASEAN should utilize the various existing
processessuch as ASEAN+3 and the EAS to realize the vision of an East Asian community with
ASEAN as the driving force. This will promote shared economic interest and contribute to
sustainable peace and long‐termstability in the region.
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