In an interview with Vietnamese reporter in Jakarta, Indonesia on the occasion of ASEAN’s founding anniversary (August 8), Head of the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to ASEAN Ambassador Nguyen Hoanh Nam stressed that as an active member of the group, Vietnam contributed to setting up the ASEAN Community (AC) and approving plans for the development of the bloc for the next ten years.Vietnam has made important contributions to ASEAN’s development during its 21-year membership, especially in implementing key policies for intra-bloc cooperation and links between the bloc and partners, the Vietnamese diplomat has said.
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. During its 21 years as a member of ASEAN, Vietnam has worked with other ASEAN countries to boost ASEAN’s growth. 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.
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. 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.
Vietnam has worked hard to maintain unity within the bloc, enhance regional resilience and uphold the central role played by ASEAN in the region. The country’s role in maintaining peace and security in the region, including ensuring navigation security and safety in the East Sea, has also been recognised by ASEAN members, Nam said. Vietnam has proposed many initiatives to realise the ASEAN Vision 2025 and plans to promote all three key pillars of the community: politics-security; economy, and culture-society.
During the interview, Ambassador Nam also highlighted the development of ASEAN since its establishment 49 years ago. ASEAN has transformed from a loosely connected organisation consisting of only six members to an association with a closely-knitted 10-member nation group with its own institutions and Charter, Nam said. The bloc has developed good foreign relations with many other countries, including big powers in the world. The group also is playing an increasing important role in leading and building the regional cooperative structure as well as in maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the region, he added.
The formation of the ASEAN Community at the end of 2015 was a historic milestone in the bloc’s development, Nam said. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
ASEAN - a dynamic political and economic entity is an indispensable partner of many countries and forums in the world. Its principal aims include accelerating economic growth , social progress , and socio-cultural evolution among its members, alongside the protection of regional stability and allowing member countries to resolve differences peacefully.
ASEAN member nations are building a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) from now to 2025 and an Action Plan for the I nitiative for ASEAN Integration and Narrowing the Development Gap , which are expected to be approved at the ASEAN Summit in Laos in September.
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.
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's policy is to value the role of ASEAN, with positive and initiative spirit, Vietnam has continued to actively contribute to the above-mentioned process.
