Deputy PM, Foreign Minister Phạm Gia Khiêm joins ASEAN Ministerial Meeting

Deputy PM, Foreign Minister Phạm Gia Khiêm and ASEAN Foreign Ministers  - Photo: Văn Dũng

When it comes to intra-ASEAN cooperation, the ministers reviewed the implementation of ASEAN plans and action programs; checked preparations for the ASEAN Summit and related meetings; considered documents to be submitted to the leaders for signing or approval at that occasion, including the Declaration on Promoting the Formation of ASEAN Community by 2015, Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint for ASEAN Charter, Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, and the Senior Declaration on HIV/AID. The ministers also talked about some regional and international issues of common concern, such as cooperation against international terrorism, natural disaster management and epidemic prevention. Many cooperation projects in these areas are expected to be proposed and realized in the time to come.

Regarding cooperation with partners of ASEAN, the ministers were content with the schedules of action plans to further the comprehensive and strategic partnership between ASEAN and China, Japan, Republic of Korea and India. They agreed that all sides should make greater efforts in negotiations to found free trade areas between ASEAN and these partners. These dialogue partners pledged support to community building, narrowing development gaps within ASEAN, and enhancing cultural and public exchanges.

Deputy PM Phạm Gia Khiêm also attended the Ministerial Meeting of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Japan to discuss on solutions to boost economic and trade cooperation among the four countries, especially orientations to deepen the Mekong Subregion cooperation and Japan’s aid to help Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in building up the Development Triangle. Attending the Ministerial Meeting for Mekong-Ganges Cooperation, on the sidelines of which, Deputy PM Phạm Gia Khiêm met with Indian Foreign Minister to discuss measures for the enhanced Vietnam-India relationship.

During the same period, Trade Minister Trương Đình Tuyển took part in the ASEAN Economic Meeting (AEM) and the AEM with China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and India.

About internal economic cooperation, the ASEAN ministers focused on discussions about solutions to speed up the integration process and the construction of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. To fulfill this target, the AEM approved the report and proposal of the ASEAN Secretariat about the Overall Plan to put the AEC into reality. The Meeting also discussed and approved some measures to implement the Protocol on the Fifth Commitment Package in the framework of AFAS (signed on December 8, 2006) and the follow-up steps to realize the commitments to finishing service liberalization in ASEAN by 2015. The ministers agreed to solidify the cooperative/consultative regime with the private sector to ensure that integration can better meet business demands.

In economic and trade cooperation with partners, the ministers agreed on some basic orientations to enhance cooperation as well as study and negotiations for free trade areas with each partner.

By Phương Uyên