Vietnam Becomes ASEAN Member In Today's Memory, July 28, 1995

The ASEAN flag is side by side with the Vietnamese flag. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, 29 years ago, July 28, 1995, Vietnam officially became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vietnam's presence is increasingly complementary to the diversity of member countries. Some adhere to democratic, monarchy, and communistism.

Previously, ASEAN was established as a forum for political and economic cooperation between Southeast Asian countries. ASEAN's presence is considered effective in maintaining peace among fellow members. This passion made Southeast Asian countries join one by one.

The similarity of fate is often a determinant of the close relationship between a country's foreign relations. That's what happens with countries in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, Malayasia, to the Philippines. These countries both feel the darkness of colonialism.

They started to focus on seeking support abroad. Some are looking for support to the West Block. Some are looking for support to the Eastern Block. The results vary. This relationship allows a country to grow rapidly.

Cooperation with neighboring countries began to be considered later. The option of establishing associations of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN was perpetuated. Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia became ASEAN authorities in 1967.

The presence of ASEAN is believed to bring Southeast Asian countries to coexist and be peaceful. The narrative of economic benefits from cooperation is predicted to skyrocket. Fellow Southeast Asian countries can work together in all fields, from agriculture to industry.

The process of accelerating the economic growth of each region is decreasing. This advantage can make each country develop rapidly. Even if there is a conflict between ASEAN countries, everything can be resolved, without having to wait for the western countries to intervene.

However, Indonesia's foreign political arrangement is considered more successful. First, after successfully bringing Indonesia into one of the orbits of Western block countries, President Suharto then reversed the image of Indonesia's confrontation with Malaysia in the past to a conducive regional political arrangement for economic development efforts through the establishment of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).

The formation of ASEAN is believed to be the turning point of political confrontation against the politics of regional cooperation among nations in Southeast Asia. ASEAN later became the first major pillar of the external aspects of Indonesia's external environment in the formulation of foreign politics under President Suharto, "explained Agus R. Rahman in his writing in the LIPI Political Research Journal entitled Foreign Politics The government of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Europe (2005).

Other countries in Southeast Asia are starting to be interested in becoming members. Brunei Darussalam began joining on January 8, 1984. Vietnam was predicted to follow. They have actually been interested in becoming members of ASEAN since 1985.

Problems arise. The Communism adopted by Vietnam is a burden. This is because ASEAN member countries are already allergic to communist ideology. However, Vietnam's latest development of communism is not like the previous stiff communism.

Vietnamese Communism is considered unable to destroy ASEAN. Indonesian President Suharto also did not mind Vietnam, which communists entered ASEAN. As a result, Vietnam officially became a member of ASEAN on July 28, 1995.

President Suharto stated that Indonesia does not mind if Vietnam joins ASEAN if the country respects the principles of Dasasila Bandung. Vietnam's desire to become a member of ASEAN has been since 1985, declared Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach to the Lemhanas group in Hanoi.

According to the Governor of Lemhanas Subijato, Vietnam is not meant to destroy ASEAN and it has no advantage. If deemed necessary, Vietnam can even apply to become a member of ASEAN," wrote Dharmasena magazine report entitled Pangab Buka Seminar Regional Resilience (1989).