The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is well-situated to set up an ASEAN Community, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem said Monday.

He said the ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asian Summit (EAS) have become important channels for dialogue and cooperation, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region, adding that the group should maintain its key role in these forums.

At the AMM-42, the ministers agreed on the work plan for the second phase of the Initiative for ASEAN on narrowing the development gap in the block, in order to meet targets set for 2015.

They also agreed in principle to the terms of reference of the ASEAN human rights body and its official name as the Inter-governmental

ASEAN Committee for Human Rights plus a draft of the ASEAN Treaty for Preferences and Exemptions.

The ministers stressed the need to continue cooperation in implementing the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ) for the long-term outcome of a peaceful, stable and nuclear weapon-free region.

The AMM-42 statement also called on Myanmar to organize free, just and comprehensive elections next year to create a good foundation for the country’s socio-economic development.

Source: VNA