Director of the ASEAN Studies Programme at Indonesia’s Habibie Centre Ahmad Ibrahim Almutaqqi (R) gives an interview to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Jakarta (Photo: VNA)Jakarta (VNA)- The upcoming 36th ASEAN Summit, chaired by Vietnam on June 26, will be importantand significant for the bloc, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic and regionalsecurity issues, an Indonesian scholar has said.
In an interview grantedto the Vietnam News Agency, Director of the ASEAN Studies Programme at Indonesia’sHabibie Centre Ahmad Ibrahim Almutaqqi said the summit offers the chance for ASEANand its member states to show their importance in the development of the Indo-Pacificregion.
The summit will discussnot only measures to deal with COVID-19 but also those for post-pandemic economicrecovery. It will also be an opportunity for ASEAN leaders to call on involved partiesto ease tensions in Asia and focus on more pressing issues such as COVID-19.
The Indonesianscholar said he appreciates the role Vietnam plays as Chair of ASEAN in 2020,as despite the impact of the pandemic it has carried out its tasks in an effortto ensure the proper functioning of ASEAN in this difficult year and in organisinghigh-level meetings.
Over the next six months,he went on, ASEAN members should seek measures to reopen their economies in a safemanner, prevent a new wave of the disease from spreading, and address the consequencesof the pandemic to create solid foundations for 2021./.
VNA
