US State Secretary Michael R. Pompeo cited the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Aug. 7, Friday, saying the strategic partnership between the US and the group “contributes to our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
In a message released by the US Embassy in Manila ahead of the ASEAN’s 53rd founding date celebrated annually on Aug. 8, Pompeo said “for decades, ASEAN has fostered a more stable, prosperous, and peaceful region.”
“ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms are at the heart of the U.S. vision for the Indo-Pacific and that of our allies and partners. The strategic partnership between the United States and ASEAN contributes to our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Pompeo said.
Acknowledging the “enormous challenge” posed by the Covid19 pandemic, Pompeo said “we are proving the strength of our relationship by leveraging our government, private sector, and charitable partnerships to support our shared health and prosperity.”
The US has pledged nearly $85 million in emergency health and humanitarian assistance to help ASEAN countries battle COVID19.
Pompeo said the US will continue to promote transparent economic growth between our countries during the post-pandemic recovery.
ASEAN was formed on Aug. 8 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand when the group’s “founding fathers” signed the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are the group’s original members.
Brunei Darussalam then joined on Jan. 7 1984, Vietnam on July 28, 1995, Laos and Myanmar on July 23, 1997, and Cambodia on April 30 1999.
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