VOV.VN - The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum should continue taking the lead in promoting free, open trade and investment while simultaneously strengthening regional economic connectivity and boosting people-centred economic growth.

The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) shows the rest of the world that signatory countries believe in open and rule-based trade, Iman Pambagyo, Chief of the RCEP Trade Negotiating Committee of ASEAN, has said.

The 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings concluded on a high note, showing the wider region and the world that the COVID-19 pandemic could neither derail ASEAN’s commitments nor delay its plans, affirmed Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN Phasporn Sangasubana.

A Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Night was co-held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Embassy of Indonesia in Vietnam on November 16 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (1955 – 2020).

Russia Ambassador to ASEAN Alexander Ivanov has highlighted the role of Vietnam as the Chair of ASEAN this year following the success of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings last week, saying it was not easy for the Southeast Asian country to fulfill its chairmanship duties.

Members of ASEAN, international political observers, and media outlets all view Vietnam as having fulfilled its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2020 superbly, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh has said.

RCEP is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s biggest free trade pact to date, covering a market of 2.2 billion people with a combined size of US$26.2 trillion or 30% of the world’s GDP.

VOV.VN - The ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Working Group (ADSOM WG) held a video conference on November 16 under the chairmanship of Lieutenant General Vu Chien Thang, director of the Vietnam Defence Ministry's Foreign Relations Department and Head of the ADSOM WG Vietnam.

VOV.VN - Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich congratulated Kishi Nobuo on his recent appointment as Japan's Defence Minister, expressing his hope that through his new position he will make important contributions to promoting defence co-operation between both sides in a practical and efficient manner moving forward.

VOV.VN - Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleusay Kommasith has glowingly spoken of Vietnam's leadership role in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, as well as Vietnamese contributions to strengthening the bloc’s role at the regional and international forums.