Peace institute promising for Asean

The forthcoming inauguration by the Asean Summit of the Asean Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) will be a really significant event bearing in mind the high topicality of the peaceful settlement of disputes in Southeast Asia.

By a happy coincidence the AIPR comes to life after the adoption by the current session of the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution dedicated to the 13th anniversary of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes of November 15, 1982. This landmark declaration is recognised as a concrete accomplishment and a fresh appeal was addressed to all states to observe and promote it in good faith.

It should be also recalled that on the basis of the Manila Declaration on December 4, 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a decision concerning the resorting to a commission of good offices, mediation or conciliation. 

This comprehensive document stipulates inter alia that if the state parties to a dispute so request, such a commission will seek to establish the aspects on which the states parties agree, as well as their differences of opinion and perception, and to elucidate the elements related to the dispute with a view to making suggestions for the beginning or the resuming of negotiations, including their framework and stages, as well as the problems to solve.

Vuk Jeremic, president of the UN General Assembly, has said the overarching theme for this plenary body, in which all 193 member states are represented, is bringing about the adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means.

In this auspicious global context, there are many reasons to hope that the AIPR will be able to play an active and useful role in addressing disputes and conflicts in Southeast Asia in a most constructive manner, thus proving to be a valuable Asean vehicle for peace and reconciliation in the region.

Ioan Voicu 

Bangkok