Analytical Capacity, Biggest Challenge in ASEAN

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The biggest challenge for ASEAN in terms of achieving the goal of centrality is to develop its capacity, analyze the real issues and participate in solutions, an expert said.

The Chair of the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights at the Habibie Center, Prof Dewi Fortuna Anwar, stated during a discussion about ASEAN Centrality at the Habibie Center Building here on Tuesday evening that as an emerging regional power, many countries were interested in boosting their roles in the Southeast Asia region, with China and U.S. topping the list.
    
"What role can ASEAN play then? ASEAN can become a dynamic equilibrium power in both regional and global forums," she noted.
    
Being a dynamic equilibrium power will help ASEAN countries maintain their diplomacy and allow greater participation in finding solutions for global problems.
    
Anwar further pointed out that ASEAN is a neutral party and has no binding relationship with any treaty forces, except on the economic, cultural and other peaceful cooperation fronts.

"ASEAN can provide a forum where everybody can join, whether it is right or left, west or east. Taking the South Korea and North Korea crisis as an example, if the U.S. establishes a forum to discuss the solution, North Korea will not participate and alternatively, if China holds one, South Korea will be reluctant to join," she said.
    
On the other hand, ASEAN was established through peaceful cooperation and partnership platforms, and therefore offered a forum that would be acceptable to all, Anwar explained.

"So, developing a capacity to discuss real issues in an international forum is one thing, remaining true to our identities and to ASEAN's roots during the process is the most important thing," she said. (DWA)