Vietnam will focus on consolidating unity within the bloc and implementing the ASEAN charter and the roadmap for building an ASEAN community, he said, adding that greater effort will be made to strengthen cooperative ties with non-bloc partners and raise the international status of the association.

President Triet said that all ASEAN members need to build on the association’s traditional values and do their utmost to bolster solidarity, friendship and a sense of community within the organization. He proposed that each member country should make a stronger political commitment to forging links within the association and harmonizing national and regional interests.

In addition, the president said, ASEAN should take a leadership role in regional issues and take the initiative in promoting peace, security and development in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Triet told participants that as Vietnam has become a more integral part of ASEAN, ASEAN has been of greater strategic importance to Vietnam.

On behalf of all the ASEAN delegations, Bruneian Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah said he greatly appreciated the warm welcome provided by the Vietnamese state and people and congratulated Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on the successful hosting of the 16^th ASEAN Summit. He also conveyed his best wishes to Vietnamese people for the celebration of the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.