Hanoi, Aug 8 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will spread its wings to reach a new peak in the coming years, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son predicted here today.
In this way, the bloc will “better serve the interests of nations for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world,” the foreign minister said at the ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the 55th anniversary of its founding and the 27th Anniversary of Vietnam’s official membership in this unit.
Thanh Son recalled that the establishment of the alliance more than half a century ago created a precondition for nations to realize their aspirations for a zone of long-term peace and stability and sustainable and inclusive development.
ASEAN member countries can be proud of what has been achieved to achieve this lofty goal and meet the aspirations of nearly 700 million people in the region, the foreign minister stressed, calling for efforts to boost post-pandemic recovery to be stepped up: fast , sustainable, stable and comprehensive.
Commenting on Vietnam’s participation as a responsible and active member of the Alliance, the VNA news agency emphasized that its entry into the bloc on July 28, 1995 was a strategic decision by the Communist Party (PCV) and the state to contribute to a new physiognomy of the development of the country.
Hanoi, he stressed, actively promoted the accession of Laos and Myanmar (1997) and Cambodia (1999) to the Association, making Vietnam a connecting bridge between mainland Southeast Asia and the island part.
In the past 27 years, the country has played a fundamental role in adopting goals, development directions and major decisions in the region, and has successfully held important activities and meetings aimed at strengthening solidarity and unity, as well as the prestige of the bloc.
He pointed out that 2020 notably marks the 25th anniversary of its integration into ASEAN, and Vietnam has also assumed the presidency of the grouping for the third time.
Despite the great challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Hanoi has demonstrated its courage and leadership and proactive role in its capacity as rotating president, it said.
In this regard, he pointed out that many important initiatives that emerged in 2020 became ASEAN’s legacy, such as the Pandemic Response Fund, the Emergency Medical Supplies Stockpile and the region’s General Recovery Framework.
On the other hand, he added, the economic and commercial ties between Vietnam and ASEAN have grown considerably, both in breadth and depth.
Vietnam’s exports to bloc countries rose from $9.3 billion in 2010 to $29.1 billion in 2021, while imports rose from $14.5 billion to $41.1 billion over the same period.
Founded on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, ASEAN today consists of 10 nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Taken from the Latin Press
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