Vietnam to make positive contribution to APEC 21
Vietnam, together with other ASEAN members, is collaborating with the host Indonesia to make the up-coming 21st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting a success, creating imprints and a long-term vision for cooperation over the next decades, said Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Deputy Foreign Minister Son made the affirmation in an article on 25 years of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Vietnam’s participation in the forum on the occasion of the 21 st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the island of Bali from October 6-8.
Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang will attend the event at the invitation of his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Vietnam became an official member of APEC in November 1998. Over the past 15 years, the country has been a dynamic and responsible member, making many positive and effective contributions to APEC cooperation, reflected by its success as APEC Chair in 2006, as well as in hosting the 14th APEC Leaders’ Meeting and the 18th APEC Ministerial Meeting of foreign and economic/trade ministers. Vietnam will be the host of the sixth APEC Ministerial Meeting on Human Resources Development in 2014.
The country has also strictly followed APEC’s plans, cooperation programmes and commitments, as well as actively participated in more than 70 initiatives on economics, trade, investment, technology, health care and terrorism prevention.
As part of its active international integration, Vietnam will continue considering APEC a focus in its foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralization.
APEC is now the country’s largest regional investor, accounting for 65 percent of its total foreign investment, 60 percent of export turnover, 80 percent of import value and 75 percent of total international tourists to Vietnam.
Deputy FM Son affirmed that APEC is not only the forum critical to Vietnam’s development in economics, external affairs and security, but also an effective channel for the country to boost cooperation and deepen its bilateral relations with other member economies which include its comprehensive and strategic partners.
Therefore, Vietnam pledges to participate in and contribute positively to the success of the 21st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, for the dynamism, self-strength and development of the Asia-Pacific region, the Vietnamese diplomat stressed.