The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) on Friday welcomed its 7th Permanent Representative, as Pengiran Hajjah Basmillah Haji Abbas of Brunei Darussalam presented her letter of credentials to Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan.

"Ambassador Basmillah has an extensive history in overseeing regional issues. Her expertise will certainly contribute a great deal in our efforts to build the ASEAN Community," said Surin.

As stipulated in the ASEAN Charter, each ASEAN Member State shall appoint a permanent representative with the rank of ambassador based in Jakarta. The permanent representatives to ASEAN collectively constitute a Committee of Permanent Representatives.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives will play the important role of, among others, coordinating with ASEAN National Secretariats and other ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies.

Previously, the Permanent Representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam had presented their credentials, and will soon be followed by Malaysia.

Source: Xinhua