• An Giang
  • Binh Duong
  • Binh Phuoc
  • Binh Thuan
  • Binh Dinh
  • Bac Lieu
  • Bac Giang
  • Bac Kan
  • Bac Ninh
  • Ben Tre
  • Cao Bang
  • Ca Mau
  • Can Tho
  • Dien Bien
  • Da Nang
  • Da Lat
  • Dak Lak
  • Dak Nong
  • Dong Nai
  • Dong Thap
  • Gia Lai
  • Ha Noi
  • Ho Chi Minh
  • Ha Giang
  • Ha Nam
  • Ha Tinh
  • Hoa Binh
  • Hung Yen
  • Hai Duong
  • Hai Phong
  • Hau Giang
  • Khanh Hoa
  • Kien Giang
  • Kon Tum
  • Lai Chau
  • Long An
  • Lao Cai
  • Lam Dong
  • Lang Son
  • Nam Dinh
  • Nghe An
  • Ninh Binh
  • Ninh Thuan
  • Phu Tho
  • Phu Yen
  • Quang Binh
  • Quang Nam
  • Quang Ngai
  • Quang Ninh
  • Quang Tri
  • Soc Trang
  • Son La
  • Thanh Hoa
  • Thai Binh
  • Thai Nguyen
  • Thua Thien Hue
  • Tien Giang
  • Tra Vinh
  • Tuyen Quang
  • Tay Ninh
  • Vinh Long
  • Vinh Phuc
  • Vung Tau
  • Yen Bai

Solidarity – foundation for successful ASEAN Community

VGP – Solidarity is the secret for a successful ASEAN today for the common goal of building a “region of lasting peace, security and stability and sustained economic growth, shared social progress and prosperity.”

August 05, 2014 3:41 PM GMT+7

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh: Solidarity is the foundation for the success of building ASEAN Community

The gigantic development of ASEAN over the past 47 years came as a result of ceaseless solidarity and efforts, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh stressed in an article he wrote on the occasion of the ASEAN Day (August 8).

Political-security cooperation for sustained peace

Formed in the context of regional instabilities and profound divisions caused by the Cold War, ASEAN understands and treasures the value of peace and stability better than anyone else. The Bangkok Declaration marking the birth of ASEAN in 1967 points out the clear goal of “joint efforts and sacrifices to secure for their people and for posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity.”

Ever since, ASEAN has adopted a number of important documents like the Declaration of ASEAN Concord, the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 1976; the Treaty on Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone (SEANWFZ) in 1995; the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea in 2002 and ASEAN Charter in 2008. These documents are regarded as the standards of behavior not only for ASEAN itself but also between ASEAN and its partners.

Thanks to the above values, ASEAN has become the magnet to many major partners like the US, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, and the European Union which have incessantly accelerated cooperation with ASEAN through mechanisms of ASEAN 1, ASEAN 3, EAS, and ARF, ADMM initiated and led by ASEAN.

For the East Sea issue, ASEAN showed its role and responsibility for ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region.

In the face of China’s illegal placement of its oil rig in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, which threatened maritime security and safety in the East Sea, ASEAN FMs issued as stand-alone Statement on May 10, 2014 to strongly affirm the principles of observing international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This was the first time after 20 years, ASEAN adopted a Statement on the East Sea in order to express their common concern over the current developments in the East Sea. ASEAN affirmed its responsibility for peace and stability in the region as well as its solidarity amid difficulties and challenges.

Economic cooperation for sustainable growth and shared prosperity

At the outset, ASEAN is a major driving force to beef up economic-trade links in the region. ASEAN’s economic connectivity has continuously been expanded in less than a decade since the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 1992.

In the face of the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, many hastily said that ASEAN would huddle itself and erect the “protectionism fence”. On the contrary, ASEAN blew fresh air into the economic-trade links in East Asia through shaping a network of regional free trade areas with key partners (FTA 1) such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand while actively pushing a series of economic-trade cooperation programs with big partners like the US, Canada, the European Union, and Russia.

ASEAN has emerged as a bright point with the average growth rate of 5-6%, even in the hardest years of 2011 and 2012, amid the somber panorama of the global economy.

Connectivity for practical benefits of peoples

Apart from political-security and economic cooperation,  cultural and social cooperation has also been one of the three pillars in the process to build a harmonized, unified, caring and sharing ASEAN Community.

It is not easy to achieve the aforesaid target as ASEAN is a group of countries with diverse histories, political systems, development levels, cultures, languages and religions.

However, “unity in diversity” is the unique characteristic of ASEAN which has been respected and preserved by member countries themselves.

Regarding Viet Nam’s responsibility to promote ASEAN solidarity, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh said first of all, Viet Nam will work with other members to devote best efforts to the building of ASEAN Community as the success of this process is closely associated with the prestige and position of ASEAN. A strong and united ASEAN Community is the prerequisite condition for better confidence and cohesion among ASEAN member countries.

Viet Nam will also work closely with other members to consolidate and promote the central role of ASEAN at different aspects and scales. ASEAN needs to continue giving prominence to its norms and rules of behavior enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, TAC, SEANFWZ, DOC, paving the way for the formulation of the Code of Conduct for the whole region; pushing the development of a multi-level regional architecture led by ASEAN; and strengthening internal economic power for higher intra- and extra-regional economic connectivity.

ASEAN needs to consolidate cooperative mechanisms among its member countries and between ASEAN and partners in order to effectively cope with non-traditional and traditional security challenges, especially territorial and maritime disputes, natural disasters and diseases. Moreover, the bloc needs a more effective organizing apparatus with smooth and harmonious connection among agencies.

A post-2015 vision for ASEAN Community should be envisaged on the basis of continuing and promoting the achievements gained by ASEAN after nearly five decades.

Deputy PM, FM Minh expressed his belief that the ASEAN Community will continue walking toward higher connectivity goals thanks to the power of solidarity along with joint efforts and determination of all ASEAN members.

As an integral part and a responsible member of ASEAN, Viet Nam pledges to stick itself to the process of regional connectivity and integration for common peace, security, stability and prosperity of ASEAN., the top Vietnamese diplomat concluded his article/.

By Hai Minh