The host country of Finland and ASEM member countries praised Vietnam’s active participation in ASEM 6, which significantly contributed to further raising Vietnam’s position in the international arena as well as at the ASEM forums, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

The sixth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 6) Summit concluded in Helsinki, Finland, on September 11. On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem briefed the Vietnamese media on the outcomes of ASEM 6 and Vietnam’s major contributions to the success of the event.

Reporters: On the sidelines of ASEM 6, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung paid working visits to the European Commission (EC) and Belgium. What is your assessment of the results of his visits?
Mr Khiem: Before attending ASEM 6, PM Nguyen Tan Dung made successful working visits to the EC and Belgium.

The EU spoke highly of Vietnam’s decision to select it as the first partner in bilateral visit exchange. The talks between PM Nguyen Tan Dung and EC President Barosso took place in the spirit of friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding with commitments to close cooperation in implementing a master plan on developing comprehensive relations with the EU, approved by the Vietnamese Government in June 2005.

Mr Barosso said Vietnam is the EU’s leading partner in Asia and pledged to maintain an ODA funding of 160 million Euro for the country in the next four years. He agreed with Vietnam in the principle of possible negotiations for signing a new cooperative agreement in replacement of the framework cooperative agreement between Vietnam and the EC signed in 1995. He also hailed Vietnam’s proposal to establish a mechanism for regular exchange between the two sides at ministerial level while voicing his support for Vietnam’s early admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). On this occasion, the EC President and Prime Minister Dung declared an end to multilateral negotiations on Vietnam’s entry to the WTO.

At the meeting with PM Nguyen Tan Dung, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt praised the renewal achievements Vietnam has recorded in recent times and affirmed that his country will continue regarding Vietnam as Belgium’s leading partner and top priority among its ODA recipients.

The Belgian PM appreciated and agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart’s proposal to develop the relations of comprehensive friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Reporters: Could you tell about the major results of ASEM 6?
Mr Khiem: Under the theme “10 years of ASEM: Global Challenges - Joint Responses”, ASEM 6 which took place in Helsinki, Finland from September 10-11, 2006 achieved remarkable results as follows:

First, ASEM 6 took place at a crucial time when ASEM is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Looking back at the first ten years of ASEM, leaders of the 38 member countries and the EC President affirmed that the establishment of the ASEM process is a right decision, helping promote dialogues and cooperation in resolving global issues relating to peace, security and development. The full participation of heads of State and Government from Asian and European nations in ASEM 6 showed their high determination to promote the cooperation process.

Second, in the spirit of openness and construction, leaders exchanged views on overall issues in the context that the international situation remains complicated, impacting on the international political life and cooperation of ASEM.

Third, the meeting adopted the three important documents namely, the ASEM 6 chairman's statement, the ASEM 6 statement on climate change and the Helsinki statement on the future of ASEM 6.

Regarding orientations for future cooperation, ASEM leaders stressed the need to conserve energy and develop renewable energy resources to ensure sufficient supplies in the future. They also shared the view that sustainable development is the harmonious combination between economic growth, social equality, proper use of natural resources and environmental protection. They also called on all countries to ratify and implement the UN treaty on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol. The meeting emphasised the important role of dialogues on cultures, civilisations and faith, considering them important areas to be addressed.

Fourth, the meeting agreed to further develop Asia-Europe cooperation through the Economic Ministers’ Meetings to realise the Hanoi Declaration on Closer ASEM Economic Partnership.

The meeting discussed measures to boost economic cooperation between the two continents. It called for the early resumption of the Doha round of talks and measures to help developing countries to further integrate into the global trade.

ASEM leaders also discussed specific measures to promote economic activities under the framework of the Trade Facilitation Action Plan and Investment Promotion Action Plan. The meeting discussed a number of burning issues associated with financial cooperation, labour and energy and proposed measures to further boost cooperation in the area of energy.

Fifth, ASEM leaders voiced strong support for Vietnam’s bid to join the WTO early and welcomed Vietnam’s initiative to host an ICT Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for this December.

The meeting also supported Vietnam’s initiative to organise an ASEM forum on energy security policy and publish a book of reports on ASEM investment and trade.

Sixth, the meeting marked a further development of the ASEM cooperation process after the first ASEM enlargement at ASEM 5 in Hanoi by inviting the two acceding EU member states Bulgaria and Romania, as well as India, Mongolia, Pakistan and the ASEAN Secretariat on the Asian sides, to participate in the ASEM process. ASEM leaders looked forward to the formal celebration of the admission of new partners at the 2008 ASEM summit in China.

On the sidelines of the meeting, PM Nguyen Tan Dung held bilateral meetings with the French President, the Chinese Prime Minister, the German Chancellor, the Dutch Prime Minister, the Japanese Prime Minister, the Luxembourg Prime Minister and the Polish Prime Minister. He also had meetings with the Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

I myself had bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minster of the host country, the EC commissioner in charge of external relations and the Foreign Ministers of the Netherlands, Hungary and Slovenia. Most countries pledged to support Vietnam’s early admission to the WTO. Vietnam asked European countries to reconsider their decisions and not to impose anti-dumping tax rates on leather-capped shoes imported from Vietnam. They praised Vietnam’s development achievements and expressed their wish to further strengthen their relations with the country while acknowledging its concern over the imposition of anti-dumping tax rates.

Reporters: How do you assess the role and position of the Vietnamese delegation at these meetings?
Mr Khiem: Bringing into full play the role and position of Vietnam after 10 years of joining ASEM, especially the success of ASEM 5 in Hanoi, the Vietnamese delegation made positive contributions to issues of great significance to the ASEM cooperation process.

ASEM 5 in Hanoi was a historical turning point, marking the first enlargement of ASEM and the approval of the Hanoi Declaration on Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) to further substantiate Asia-Europe cooperation.

Vietnam and member countries discussed global burning issues relating to politics, economics and culture.

The meeting agreed with Vietnam’s proposal to early organise the ASEM Economic Ministers’ Meeting to discuss the implementation of the Hanoi Declaration on Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) and to take advantage of great support from ASEM member countries for Vietnam’s early entry to the WTO.

The host country of Finland and ASEM member countries praised Vietnam’s active participation in ASEM 6, which significantly contributed to further raising Vietnam’s position in the international arena as well as at the ASEM forums.

The results Vietnam obtained through ASEM 6 and its bilateral meetings with ASEM leaders were of great significance, demonstrating the country’s active integration into the world economy and the international and regional cooperation process in the spirit of being a friend, a reliable partner and an active and constructive member in the international community.

Vietnam consistently attaches importance to making greater contributions to the ASEM cooperation process.

Reporters: Thank you very much.