MANILA – “One cannot appreciate one’s existence unless you know your history.”
Former DFA Secretary and the first woman Foreign Minister of Asia, former ASEAN Director General Amb. Delia Albert underscored the importance of looking back at the historical significance of the founding of the ASEAN during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Week at the UP Asian Center.
With students, members of the academe and selected representatives of the ASEAN diplomatic corps, Amb. Albert mentioned the role played by former DFA Secretary, Amb. Narciso Ramos in pushing for the involvement of the Philippines in the creation of the ASEAN, which was then composed of six countries in the region.
It was only in 1992, when the member states finally decided that there should be an integration, a total commitment between the countries through trade and legislation akin to the establishment of two economic blocs: the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the European Union (EU), which would provide mobility and protection to ASEAN citizens.
To trace the similarities between the ASEAN countries, particularly the Philippines and Indonesia, Ms. Erna Herlina, First Secretary and Trade Officer of the Embassy of Indonesia, cited historical and archaeological examples that these countries were already trading with each other before the Spaniards came. Other interesting facts include the infiltration of Indonesian brands in the Philippine market, the OFW policies and the migration trends of the Philippines being Indonesia’s inspiration in the creation of migrant laws, the intermarriages between Filipinos and Indonesians and many others.
The Director-General of the Foreign Service Institute, Hon. Claro Cristobal, highlighted the reasons why the ASEAN states should be compelled to work towards integration, especially since the world and the lives of people in the region have drastically changed. According to him, “ASEAN is meaningless if it is not a community of people.”
From August 25-28, the University of the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Week and offers a myriad of activities: a public forum, cultural exhibits, a lecture and other activities to commemorate ASEAN’s 48th anniversary. (Eagle News Service)
