Vietnam accompanies ASEAN in the new period
VOV.VN - ASEAN marks its 49th anniversary on August 8. Over the past 49 years, ASEAN has become a community with economic development as its main pillar and aims to become a dynamic and prosperous economic region.
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From 5 initial members, ASEAN has grown into an organization with 10 members who are determined to develop the community and built trust. ASEAN reached a milestone last year with the establishment of the ASEAN Community.
It also mapped out the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 which sets key goals for boosting ASEAN’s economic connectivity and promoting its role in the region and the world.
Effectively realizing Community Development Vision
Since its foundation, ASEAN has implemented approximately 300 plans on peace and security. It has expanded cooperation with partners and implemented several agreements within the framework of the ASEAN Economic Community.
Since its birth 7 months ago, the ASEAN Economic Community has accelerated negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership between Asia Pacific and ASEAN to establish a free trade area and has implemented initiatives to boost links within ASEAN and between ASEAN and other organizations.
ASEAN’s cooperation in finance, trade, investment, and labor has been strengthened. The establishment of the ASEAN Community has received support from the international community. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said: “At the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos, four other countries participated in the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty and 2 partners expanded their partnership with ASEAN in various areas.
The formation of the ASEAN Community has been globally acknowledged and its prestige in the international arena has increased”.
Ensuring unity in face of challenges
ASEAN has grown steadily thanks to ensuring a peaceful environment and stability in the region. At present, ASEAN is facing numerous challenges due to complications around the world and tension in the East Sea.
In this context, ASEAN is aware of the importance of promoting unity, maintaining peace, stability, security and cooperation in the region for the sake of ASEAN countries and the world.
Mr Trung said, “ASEAN reached a consensus that peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea plays an important role and is inseparable from peace, stability, and cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The countries agreed on the importance of settling disputes in line with international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, not to use or threaten to use force, and use peaceful means to address disputes.
ASEAN and China agreed to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon finalize a Code of Conduct (COC). They have supported and promoted cooperation between countries in the East Sea and other countries”.
Vietnam becomes inseparable from ASEAN after 21 years
Since it became an ASEAN member 21 years ago, Vietnam has integrated extensively into ASEAN’s efforts and contributed proactively and responsibly to the regional bloc’s development.
Vietnam has contributed to designing and implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and other strategies. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said, “Vietnam contributed to and worked closely with Laos, ASEAN’s 2016 Chair, to promoting ASEAN solidarity.
Vietnam introduced a number of initiatives. At the ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos, Vietnam’s initiative on enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies at sea was approved.”
The ASEAN Community is determined to succeed through the combined strength, effort, and determination of its members.
