25 October 2018, Berlin – The Berlin ASEAN Committee (BAC) hosted the 51st ASEAN Day Reception at the Malaysian Embassy on October 25 in celebration of the founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 1967.
Vietnamese Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung, the current BAC Chair, welcomed some 300 guests composed of business leaders, members of parliament, other German government officials, and diplomats. Ms. Renate Künast, Member of the German Bundestag and Chair of the German-ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Ambassador Ina Lepel, Federal Foreign Office Director-General for Asia and the Pacific of the Federal were in attendance as Guests of Honor.
In her remarks, Ambassador Lepel underscored the strong ASEAN-European Union partnership, referring to the two regional groupings as natural partners that adhere to multilateralism and a rules-based global order. She also expressed hope for the conclusion of more free trade agreements between ASEAN Member States and the EU.
The event started with the singing of the regional grouping’s anthem, “The ASEAN Way” by Philippine Cultural Attaché Mylah Rubio. The song expresses unity and strengthened sense of an ASEAN identity and belongingness among the peoples of the region.
Guests enjoyed a variety of dishes and desserts from all ten ASEAN countries, including ripe Philippine mangoes, lumpia, and chicken adobo. They were also entertained by performances from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and special song numbers from the Filipino cast members of “Marco Polo-When You Find Your True Love.” END