July 24 this year is the 14th anniversary of our country's signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and July 27 is the 22nd anniversary of its entry into the ASEAN Regional Forum.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's signing of the Treaty and entry into the Forum marked occasions of important significance in developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and the ASEAN and its member nations onto a new high stage.

With these anniversaries as an occasion, I would like to express consistent support and solidarity with the governments and peoples of the ASEAN member states in the efforts to strengthen cooperation and cohesion with each other and invariably maintain the ASEAN-centered policy while raising their influence and voice on the international arena.

Independence is the first among the DPRK's three foreign policy tenets, and the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity takes the foremost place in the principles and ideas advocated by the ASEAN.

The history of the relations between the DPRK and the ASEAN which have lasted for dozens of years proves that the maintenance of independence and the respect for sovereignty are the main factors that have promoted the establishment and constant development of the bilateral relations.

At present, the high-handed and arbitrary practices, interference and split into groups by specified forces for gaining unchallenged position are witnessed on a worldwide scale. The moves are posing a serious challenge and obstacle to the efforts of the ASEAN member states for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and national progress and prosperity.

Due to the U.S. and some vassal forces' inveterate hostile policy toward the DPRK and their reckless military provocation moves in Northeast Asia, not only this region but also the Asia-Pacific region are in the growing danger that may embroil them as a whole in a nuclear war.

The stable situation in Northeast Asia and the peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia are linked in one chain.

For the ASEAN to maintain impartiality and objectivity in the regional and international arenas while adhering to the main principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference, equality and mutual respect, on the basis of independent and correct judgment over the source of the situation prevailing in the Korean Peninsula and the region, will be conducive to keeping peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

As a signatory to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the DPRK will as ever steadily promote the development of relations with the ASEAN and, as a member state of the ASEAN Regional Forum, will exert its sincere efforts to jointly protect the regional peace and security in conformity with its foreign policy tenet and the main idea of the ASEAN.