He made the statement while receiving the heads of the delegations from ASEAN member countries and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan on July 20, just before the 43^rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and related meetings officially opened in Hanoi.

Mr Dung said he warmly welcomed the ASEAN ministers to Hanoi for the meeting.

PM Dung thanked the leaders of ASEAN countries, their ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General for closely cooperating with Vietnam on the ASEAN Summit held last April.

The head of the Vietnamese government added that at the G20 Summit in Canada, Vietnam had highlighted ASEAN’s positions, which was greatly appreciated by the international community.

Mr Dung expressed his hope that ASEAN leaders and ASEAN foreign ministers will continue to support Vietnam in building an ASEAN community.