Hua Hin. Thailand - The 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit ended successfully yesterday capped by the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on the establishment of a China-ASEAN centre and on cooperation on intellectual property rights and technological standards.

The event ended with the announcement of Vietnam's hosting of the 2010 summit. The MoU's signed indicated China's willingness to contribute towards the enhancement of trade, investment, tourism, cultural and people-to-people exchange among others.

The MoUs signed between ASEAN and China included the establishment of ASEAN-China Centre, on Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property, and on Strengthening Cooperation in the Field of Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment.

The MoU on establishing the ASEAN-China Centre, to be based in Beijing, is designed to facilitate bilateral cooperation under the free trade area mechanism.

The MoUs were signed by representatives of China and the ASEAN countries, at ceremonies attended by national leaders, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summits.

Present to sign the documents on behalf of Brunei was Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng.

His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam along with other state leaders witnessed the signing ceremonies.

After the signing ceremonies, a speech from the Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva closed the 15th ASEAN Summit.

Abhisit expressed his pleasure for achieving three goals Thailand set upon assuming their chairmanship.

In realising the ASEAN Charter, Abhisit said: "We have operationalised new organs under the Charter through the inauguration of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) two days ago. This is the highlight and reflects ASEAN's determination to realise a truly people centred Community by 2015."

The prime minister also harped on the key topic of "Connectivity" during the Summit, aimed at revitalising a people centred and more integrated ASEAN Community. Abhisit also vouched that leaders had worked together to collectively address challenges facing the region and its people.

As leaders are embarking on a new era of ASEAN cooperation, Abhisit said: "First, we have to make sure that our meetings produce 'concrete' outcomes to help address pressing issues affecting the well-being of our peoples."

Also, the prime minister urged heads of states and governments to ensure continuity in their work in order to implement decisions into actions effectively, and to ensure that ASEAN continued to play a "constructive" role in engaging with their external partners.

Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung then relayed his speech and announced that Vietnam was chairing the 16th ASEAN Summit at Ho Chi Min City in April and the 17th ASEAN Summit and related summits next year in Hanoi in October next year.

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, also the chairman of the National Committee on ASEAN, said: "Vietnam's success in the capacity in the ASEAN chairmanship in 2010 will help raise the country's prestige and profile in the region and the world as a whole." In the presence of ASEAN heads of state and government, Nguyen launched the ASEAN Summit 2010's website.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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