Buenos Aires (VNA) – A grand ceremony was held in Buenos Aires,Argentina on August 8 to celebrate the 51st founding anniversary of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The event was held by the embassies of the ASEAN member states in the hostcountry in collaboration with the Argentine Foreign Ministry.

In his remarks, Malaysian Ambassador Mohd Khalid Abbasi Abdul Razak, who isChairman of the ASEAN Committee in Buenos Aires, reviewed the association’sestablishment and development since 1967, with notable achievements in allsectors, turning ASEAN into a close-knit, proactive, and prestigious community.

The region recorded a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of 2.6 trillionUSD, the third largest economy in Asia, and the sixth largest in the world, heunderlined, adding that the bloc is targeting to become the world’s fourthstrongest economy, just following the US, China, the European Union (UN).

ASEAN members reached consensus on expanding cooperative ties with majorpartners, enhancing integration efforts, and promoting solidarity for regionaldevelopment, peace, and sustainability. The Malaysian diplomat affirmed thatASEAN has become a prime example of regional integration.

He said that the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries have recently approvedthe establishment of the ASEAN Committee in Buenos Aires to fortify strongbonds, and further collaboration with the host nations in various sectors.

Argentine Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Raimondi, for his part,congratulated ASEAN states on their achievements during integration process,and spoke highly of the bloc’s increasing role in the international arena.

ASEAN’s success is an illustration for solidarity and cooperation strength thatcan create a sustainable integration model benefitting all member states, hesaid.

Layingstress on the effective collaborative ties, especially in economy and trade,between ASEAN and Argentina, Raimondi noted that Argentina’s recent accessionto the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) is part of thecountry’s commitment to continue bolstering relations in all areas with thisbloc.

On the occasion, five ASEAN member states having representative offices inArgentina, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam,introduced their traditional costumes, and special dishes to the guests.-VNA