31 Dec 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON THE OCCASION OF THE FORMATION OF THE ASEAN COMMUNITY ON 31ST DECEMBER 2015
Tomorrow, we will see the formation of the ASEAN Community. This is a significant milestone in ASEAN’s history. Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN has contributed to peace and stability in the region. This has also provided a stable environment for the economic growth of Singapore. In the lead up to the ASEAN Community, our people-to-people linkages have also been enhanced, bringing the region closer together.
This is an important occasion for all the people of ASEAN. The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will contribute significantly to the region’s growth and create developmental opportunities for all. More importantly, it will give our people, especially the young, many more opportunities to succeed. Our local businesses, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises, also stand to gain. By expanding their operations beyond national boundaries to the wider region, they will be able to serve ASEAN’s growing middle class. To encourage Singaporeans to understand and embrace the opportunities brought about by the establishment of the AEC, we have prepared an AEC video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSxQaQQBaUc )
This milestone could not have been achieved without all the people working together. At the same time, ASEAN’s community-building is a journey, not a destination. 2015 is an important juncture, but by no means the end point. We have a lot of untapped potential and we should capitalise on that. Our Leaders have adopted the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, which will chart the course for ASEAN over the next decade. Let us continue to work together to forge ahead and deepen the ASEAN Community.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
30 DECEMBER 2015