Vaduz – The University of Liechtenstein, in partnership with the Liechtenstein Foreign Ministry, organized the “ASEAN Ambassador Day” on 23 March 2018. The event, which was held at the University of Liechtenstein, was the first of the “Meet the Ambassadors” series of the University and the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Representatives from six (6) ASEAN countries participated in the event – Ambassador Kham-Inh Khitchadeth of Lao PDR; Ambassador Sharrina Abdullah of Malaysia; Ambassador Pham Hai Bang of Vietnam; Minister and Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro, Chargė d’Affaires, a.i. of the Philippines; Minister Counsellor Timbul Situmorang, Chargė d’Affaires, a.i. of Indonesia; and Minister Counsellor Jaithai Upakarnitikaset of Thailand.

Dr. Júrgen Brúcker, President of the University of Liechtenstein, opened the event and explained the importance of providing a platform for interaction between Liechtenstein and other countries, including the Principality’s bilateral relations with ASEAN.

Liechtenstein Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick, in her welcome remarks, touched on the importance of ASEAN to Liechtenstein, particularly in light of the bilateral free trade agreement EFTA countries have with Singapore and the Philippines, and the group’s ongoing negotiations of a similar agreement with other ASEAN countries. Foreign Minister Frick added that Liechtenstein, being a very small country, prioritizes its areas of engagement with other countries. These areas include trade and financial services, combating terrorism financing, fighting modern slavery, and migration issues, particularly migration flows from Syria.

Liechtenstein Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick giving her welcome remarks

The panel discussion focused on the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, the region’s relations with its dialogue partners and the major powers, challenges and opportunities presented by the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and Liechtenstein-ASEAN relations. 

Photos (T-B): ASEAN Ambassadors and CDA during the panel discussion and ASEAN handshake

Questions raised during the open discussion included migration issues as they affect ASEAN; how ASEAN deals with major players such as the US and China; what Liechtenstein, as a small country, can learn from ASEAN and how it can contribute to ASEAN; specific issues relating to economic integration; and the progress ASEAN has made in harmonizing and standardizing its member countries’ procedures to attract foreign investors, among others. END