Castro Statement on the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN Relations
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and founding co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations), issued the following statement on the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations:
“Tomorrow marks 40 years since the United States and ASEAN established direct diplomatic relations. The United States and the nations of ASEAN share goals of achieving economic gains, strengthening security, and advancing human rights. President Obama elevated the U.S.-ASEAN relationship to a strategic partnership, and I am proud to help deepen our countries’ relations as the founding co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on ASEAN. Together, the United States and the 10 ASEAN member states cooperate to address the growing threat from North Korea, increase access to education, combat human trafficking, and improve food security. As the ASEAN model has demonstrated, cooperation is more useful than conflict. The United States and ASEAN are more effective working together than pursuing our shared priorities separately.
“Earlier this year, my fellow Congressional Caucus on ASEAN co-chair Ann Wagner (MO-02) and I introduced a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of ASEAN’s establishment and the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations. I look forward to the full House considering and adopting the resolution, and am hopeful for continued and strengthened engagement between the United States and ASEAN."
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