(VOVworld) - A ceremony to mark ASEAN’s 48th founding anniversary was held in Pretoria, South Africa, on Thursday. Addressing the event, Philippine Ambassador Joseph Gerard B. Angeles, who is Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Pretoria (APC), highlighted ASEAN’s efforts to increase internal solidarity and collaboration with other countries, promote ASEAN’s central role, and work towards the formation of the ASEAN Community later this year. He said ASEAN members wish to tighten relations with South Africa. Ambassador Anil Sooklal from the South African Foreign Ministry’s regional affairs department highlighted the traditional friendship between South Africa and ASEAN and emphasized the potential for bilateral cooperation.