This is the first ASEAN economic ministerial meeting in 2010 to devise plans and orientation to strengthen links inside and outside of the bloc.

Speaking at the opening meeting, Mr Hoang emphasised that ASEAN’s first priority is to fully implement economic co-operative commitments and programmes within the bloc to establish an ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. The community will help ASEAN promote its advantages in the region and is also an essential step to strengthen its prestige and position in the world.

At the meeting, ministers discussed ASEAN’s economic co-operative orientation for 2010, focusing on implementing important agreements such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) and a protocol to implement the seventh package of commitments under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services. They affirmed that they will do their utmost to step up economic co-operative programmes to support trade and investment activities.

The ministers agreed on measures to improve business and citizen awareness of the benefits of ASEAN economic integration. They also discussed issues related to implementing commitments in free trade agreements between ASEAN and its regional partners.

Ministers highly praised Vietnam’s initiative on creating a draft of the leaders’ declaration on restoration and sustainable development for the 16^th ASEAN summit to be held in Hanoi from April 7-9.