Celebrating 58 years of ASEAN in the Czech Republic: Commitment to building a cohesive and sustainable community in the future

Delegates attending the Celebration Ceremony. (Source: VNA)

On the afternoon of August 7, in Prague, the ASEAN Committee in the Czech Republic (ACP) held a ceremony to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2025).

Attending and speaking were Czech Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Hulicius and Ambassadors, officials and staff of ASEAN embassies, along with hundreds of guests from representative agencies of countries and international friends.

Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the ACP, Indonesian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Rina P. Soemarno, rotating chair of the ACP, emphasized the historical significance of the establishment of ASEAN in 1967.

Over the past 58 years, ASEAN has grown increasingly stronger in both scale and influence based on the principles of mutual respect and cooperation for peace , stability and prosperity.

Ms. Rina P. Soemarno affirmed that ACP is always committed to further strengthening solidarity, unity and building an increasingly strong and sustainable community, closely cooperating in many fields, and sharing common responsibility in building a more cohesive and sustainable ASEAN Community in the future.

Indonesian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Rina P.Soemarno speaks at the Ceremony.

Expressing his joy at attending this event, Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Eduard Hulicius emphasized that the relationship between Southeast Asian countries and the Czech Republic is developing very well, with many opportunities to cooperate in the economic and cultural fields.

Eduard Hulicius also stressed that the Czech Republic’s ties with ASEAN are not just “bridges of stone or steel,” but are built on cultural values, cooperation and mutual understanding. This year, the Czech Republic celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations with Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as 70 years of relations with Myanmar.

Delegates attending the Celebration Ceremony. (Source: VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Duong Hoai Nam emphasized that in 2025, Vietnam will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its accession to ASEAN. Over the past three decades, Vietnam has actively and proactively participated in all ASEAN activities, playing an important role in promoting the building of the ASEAN Community, overcoming challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and acting as a bridge between ASEAN and global partners.

Mr. Duong Hoai Nam also said that ACP, consisting of six countries with embassies in the Czech capital: Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar, always maintains close relations with Czech government agencies and parliaments, contributing to promoting ASEAN-Czech and ASEAN-EU relations.

Some art performances.

At the ceremony, ASEAN countries displayed and introduced the most typical traditional dishes of each country's culinary culture, and performed some of their nation's unique art performances such as traditional dances and folk music.

All have contributed together to create deep impressions of a united, dynamic but also extremely diverse and culturally unique ASEAN.