ASEAN and new prosperity in 2015

In the context of unrestful political security over the world in 2014, Southeast Asia has experienced “misfortunes” with typical colors before coming to prosperity.

Looking back at the past year, it is easy to see that the dark colors in Southeast Asia are mostly remnant from the previous year (2013).

It can be mentioned to a Cambodia with the debate about the fifth post-election. Political situation in Cambodia stalled almost hard to breakthrough after several unsuccessful negotiations between CPP and CNRP. However, the final knot was removed when the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement on the last ten day of July with the main contents of radical National Election Commission (NEC), the separation of powers in Congress and fierce fight against corruption.

In the neighboring countries of Thailand, pro- and anti-government protests happened widely between “red” and “yellow shirt” factions, making this country into a hot spot on the world map security. The public had expected a general election before the deadline (February 2^nd, 2014) would be the remedy to resolve the deep divisions exist in Thai society. However, reality proved otherwise. The political factions refused to step down, the country continued in the unrest cycle of post-election to such an extent that the army must carry out a coup “for the situation quickly return to normal, social peace... and advance structural reforms to political, economic and social” as asserted by the Army Commander then (now Prime Minister of Thailand) Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Whether in Cambodia or Thailand, once the situation becomes unstable, no one else of the people have to suffer what it leave. Amid the global economy is weakening, the unrest has seriously threatened the economy of both countries, upset and impact on the lives of people.

In recent years, it is not coincident that many politicians and scholars of international reputation have taken the call to live in “disagreement but no confrontation” because in order to thoroughly solve the contradictions between the political forces in Cambodia or Thailand is not easily done in short time. Although there is still slanders surrounding the agreement between CPP and CNRP or military coup in Thailand, which is only the prelude of a bumpy to solve the root problem, it also immediately brings hope and new opportunities for stability and development in Cambodia and Thailand.

It is the bottleneck in terms of the individual. So for all of Southeast Asia, then how?

In 2014, the South China Sea has been “up wave” due to the crisis of China’s oil rig Hai Duong 981 was illegal land located in the waters of Vietnam once again became a litmus test for the unity and responsibility of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when this area has close links with the problem of sovereignty and national interests of the members of the association. As a result, before the risk of peace, security and safety of navigation in the South China Sea seriously threatened, for the first time in nearly two decades, ASEAN approved a Declaration on the South China Sea situation separately. The Conference of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopted this statement strongly affirmed the principles of international law and ASEAN, expressing solidarity, consensus and active role and responsibilities of the association for peace, stability and security in the South China Sea in particular and the area in general. The voice of ASEAN with the joint efforts of the international community and stakeholders have contributed to defuse tensions, helping the region to avoid a dangerous military confrontation.

Southeast Asia ended the year 2014 with a happy ending as the main bottleneck has been removed, though may not be complete. The year of 2015 is the sprint time for ASEAN to complete the remaining objectives of the roadmap to build the general community on December 31^st, 2015. In the context of regional and international is changing rapidly with more complicated and unpredictable issues, large countries increasingly influent in this area, the new challenge for ASEAN is to maintain unity and the central role of ASEAN in the region. Certainly, with the power to unite the efforts and commitment of the Member States, the ASEAN Community will be formed in time and move toward the further targets. ASEAN continues to be international public opinion expects a positive contribution, more effective in maintaining peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.