Mohamad Hasan urges stronger Asean connectivity, eyes freer region with EU‑style movement

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasized the importance of strengthening connectivity among ASEAN members to create a more open and integrated region over the next 10 to 12 years.

He highlighted the ambition for ASEAN to evolve towards freer movement, akin to the European Union, despite existing policy and legal differences.

He underscored the need for long-term preparation, including educational enhancements, to compete in a more open ASEAN market.

Additionally, he pointed out ASEAN's increasing influence as a middle power on the global stage amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

NEW YORK, Sept 28 — Asean needs to continue strengthening connectivity among its member states as a step towards creating a more open and integrated region, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia aspired to see Asean develop into a freer region over the next 10 to 12 years, including exploring the free movement of people, similar to that practised in the European Union (EU).

“Connectivity among Asean countries needs to be effective,” he said during a question-and-answer session at a gathering with the Malaysian diaspora here on Saturday.

Mohamad said although the aspiration could not be fully realised under current circumstances due to differences in policies and laws among member states, this should not prevent Asean from achieving the vision.

He added that the effort should be viewed as a long-term process requiring preparation and gradual change.

Meanwhile, he said Malaysia needs to prepare its people, particularly by strengthening the education system for the younger generation, to face broader competition in a more open Asean.

“Are we ready, or have we prepared our Malaysian children to compete with children from Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and other Asean countries?” he said.

Earlier, during a joint press conference with Malaysian media, Mohamad said Asean should continue playing the role of a middle power amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

He said the international community is increasingly looking towards Asean to make its voice heard because of its position as a strong bloc, its ability to articulate a more effective common position on global issues and its significant economic potential. — Bernama

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外交部长拿督斯里莫哈末哈山强调，在未来10到12年内，加强东盟成员国之间的互联互通对于创建一个更加开放和一体化的地区至关重要。

他强调，尽管存在政策和法律上的差异，东盟仍希望朝着类似欧盟那样更自由的人员流动方向发展。

他强调，为了在更加开放的东盟市场中竞争，需要进行长期准备，包括加强教育。

此外，他还指出，在当前地缘政治和经济不确定性的背景下，东盟作为中等强国在全球舞台上的影响力日益增强。

纽约，9月28日——外交部长拿督斯里穆罕默德·哈山表示，东盟需要继续加强成员国之间的互联互通，以此作为创建一个更加开放和一体化地区的步骤。

他表示，马来西亚希望在未来 10 到 12 年内看到东盟发展成为一个更加自由的地区，包括探索人员自由流动，类似于欧盟的做法。

“东盟国家之间的互联互通需要切实有效，”他在周六与马来西亚侨民在此举行的一次聚会上的问答环节中说道。

穆罕默德表示，尽管由于成员国之间的政策和法律存在差异，在目前情况下这一愿望无法完全实现，但这不应阻止东盟实现这一愿景。

他还补充说，这项工作应该被视为一个长期过程，需要做好准备和逐步改变。

与此同时，他表示，马来西亚需要让其人民做好准备，特别是通过加强年轻一代的教育体系，来应对更加开放的东盟中更广泛的竞争。

他问道：“我们准备好了吗？或者说，我们是否已经让马来西亚的孩子们做好准备，与来自新加坡、泰国、菲律宾和其他东盟国家的孩子们竞争？”

此前，穆罕默德在与马来西亚媒体举行的联合新闻发布会上表示，在全球地缘政治和经济不确定性的背景下，东盟应继续发挥中等强国的作用。

他表示，国际社会越来越期待东盟发出自己的声音，因为东盟作为一个强大的集团，能够就全球问题提出更有效的共同立场，并且拥有巨大的经济潜力。——马新社

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