It is a great honor for me today to be amidst all my ASEAN colleagues in this solemn ceremony to witness the official admission of the Kingdom of Cambodia as the 10^th member of ASEAN and to sign on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia the Declaration on the Admission of the Kingdom of Cambodia as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Protocol for her accession to ASEAN Agreements in Hanoi, the beautiful capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Today, the Kingdom of Cambodia has finally, last but not least, joined this great Family of proud Nations in Southeast Asia, thus fulfilling the vision of our founding fathers the vision of all Ten Nations of Southeast Asia within ASEAN working together for the promotion of peace, progress and prosperity for all to share. This significant event marks history’s turning point for Cambodia as well as for ASEAN.

May I express, on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, my deep and sincere appreciation to all of you, especially to our Host – the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to all ASEAN member countries and to ASEAN Secretariat for your kind cooperation and precious assistance rendered to Cambodia in her preparations to join this great Family. I also highly appreciate the support and assistance given by many countries, and international organizations during the preparatory process of Cambodia’s integration into ASEAN.

In this historic moment, I wish also to express my sincere thanks to the Chairman of the 32^nd ASEAN Standing Committee and my fellow Ministers for your kind words of welcome.

Over the past thirty two years, ASEAN countries have overcome many obstacles and difficulties and have brought about a complete transformation to this region and turned it into a remarkable region of peace, stability and cooperation characterized by a strong and dynamic economic growth, and prosperity.

From the original five members, today all 10 Nations in Southeast Asia have become one great Family sheltering together under the single roof of "ASEAN". Every member of ASEAN is not only lifting up its identity and development its own country but also mutually helping each other by following the principles of the 1967 Bangkok Declaration and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as well as other ASEAN Declarations. This traditional solidarity and mutual assistance has changed ASEAN into a potential regional power working with other partners for the promotion of world peace and prosperity.

Nowadays, in face of the globalization tendency and the regionalisation in other parts of the world, solidarity and cohesion of ASEAN are stronger than ever before, in dealing with these challenges.

As a Member of ASEAN, Cambodia undertakes to fulfill all obligations and responsibilities of a Member State in conformity with the principles and objectives specified in the ASEAN basic documents. Cambodia also strictly adheres to her policy of permanent neutrality, non-alignment, friendship and active multiform cooperation and peaceful coexistence with all countries in the world.

Cambodia also pledges to actively take part in the various ASEAN cooperation activities to ensure that our contribution will enhance and promote ASEAN solidarity and development. I have no doubt that Cambodia in ASEAN will bring her active contribution to peace, stability and economic development of our region.

Finally, allow me once again to reiterate my deep gratitude to all of you, dear colleagues, for your presence at this special ceremony marking history’s turning point for our region.

Thank you

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