VIENTIANE, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit on Tuesday urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance its centrality when deals with relations with the bloc's external partners based on the "ASEAN Way."
Bounnhang made the remarks during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, calling on member states to work together toward further advancing a vibrant, sustainable and highly integrated economy, enhancing connectivity and narrowing the development gap within the 10-nation bloc.
The president said that ASEAN should also enhance its cooperation and collaboration with the international community so as to address challenges such as terrorism and extremism, natural disaster, climate change and migration crisis.
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