On the occasion, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Doan Xuan Hung granted our reporter an interview about the result of the meeting.

Reporter: Since its establishment 14 years ago, ASEM has played an important role in boosting the partnership between the two continents. It is expected that ASEM 8 will make greater contribution to the development of their relationships. Could you talk about the outcomes of this year’s meeting?

Mr. Hung: ASEM 8 took place while the world economy, especially Asian and European economies, is recovering and the whole world is about to shift to a post-crisis stage.

All ASEM member countries are aware of the necessity to promote cooperation in a new development period. The meeting, themed “Quality of life”, made significant achievements.

Firstly, the meeting adopted two documents including the “ASEM Chair’s Declaration on happiness and dignity” and the “ASEM 8 Declaration on strengthening the efficiency of global economic governance”, which showed the determination to restructure the world economy.

Participants also agreed to work out measures and introduce policies to promote balanced and sustainable development, reform international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and raise the status of newly-emerging and developing economies.

Opening talks between ASEM leaders and representatives of the Asian-European Business Forum helped raise awareness of the importance of joining governments’ and businesses’ effort.

Secondly, ASEM leaders unanimously constructed models of sustainable development by closely combining economic development with social development and environmental protection. They called for closer cooperation in research activities, technical assistance, and the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies to complete the millennium development goals and establish an Asia – Europe comprehensive strategic relationship.

The meeting emphasized the importance of narrowing the development gap between countries and highlighted G20’s efforts to increase the economic growth rate in developing countries.

Thirdly, the joining of Russia, Australia, and New Zealand in ASEM helped the forum raise its prestige and status. The number of ASEM members increased from 26 to 48, representing 60 percent of the world population, 50 percent of the world’s GDP, and 60 percent of the world trade turnover.

Four ASEM countries are now permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and 12 countries are G20 members. They all played important roles in regional and international organizations.

Finally, the meeting approved 16 initiatives on the promotion of cooperation in various fields including food security, transport, forest management, water resource development, and education.

The cultural exhibition entitled “2,500 years of Asia-Europe Exchange”, which began in June, has contributed to mutual understanding between people in the two continents.

Reporter: As an ASEM founding member and ASEAN chair, how much has Vietnam contributed to the meeting?

Mr. Hung: The Vietnamese delegation, led by PM Dung made practical contributions to the meeting’s success.

During the event, PM Dung underlined the contributions of ASEAN and Vietnam in particular to ASEM. He also proposed making ASEM a driving force to boost sustainable development by sharing experiences, forming development strategies, building models, improving social welfare for vulnerable groups, and assisting sustainable development programmes.

In this spirit, the PM put forward two initiatives, namely the “ASEM forum on green growth” and the “ASEM forum on social security networks” which were applauded by the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the Republic of Korea.

The Vietnamese delegations also took the initiative to promote cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, especially the EU, and participate in other important events on the sidelines of the conference.

Members of the EU spoke highly of ASEAN, especially Vietnam’s efforts in building a powerful, dynamic, and sustainable ASEAN community, and attached great importance to strengthening ties between the two continents in the framework of the Mekong Delta cooperation programme.

Reporter: What is the significance of PM Dung’s meeting with ASEM leaders in strengthening ties with Vietnam’s partners?

Mr. Hung: In only two days, Mr. Dung met with his counterparts from Belgium, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, the UK, Luxemburg, Estonia, Australia, and Slovenia and the President of the EU.

Agreements reached at these meetings were very important for Vietnam’s development policies and laid a firm foundation for the promotion of Vietnam’s comprehensive cooperation with the EU members.

The combination of Vietnam’s bilateral and multilateral relationship policies once again helped increase its status and bring relationships with its partners to new heights.