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PM Dung's remarks at celebration of the ASEAN Community and Lunar New Year of the Monkey

VGP - The following is the address of PM Nguyen Tan Dung at the celebration of the ASEAN Community and the Lunar New Year of the Monkey on January 10 in Ha Noi.

January 11, 2016 8:23 AM GMT+7

 Your Excellency Mr. El Houcine Fardani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,

Excellencies Ambassadors and Chief Representatives of international organizations,

Comrades and Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world has entered the Year 2016. While in Viet Nam, we are about to bid farewell to the year of the Goat and welcome the year of the Monkey. The New Year get-together, in Vietnamese customs, is an occasion to look back on the past year and extend to each other best wishes for the new year. On behalf of the Vietnamese government and people, I would like to extend my best wishes to distinguished guests and friends here tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The world we are living today is undergoing dramatic changes. The trend of economic, trade and investment liberalization, cooperation and integration continues to grow strongly. Miraculous achievements in science and technology have offered humankind with new conditions and opportunities to live in peace, prosperity and happiness. We are delighted that in 2015, despite potential risks and uncertainties, the world economy has seen signs of recovery. Furthermore, the international community has adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and succeeded in concluding a historic agreement on climate change.

In addition, we are also aware that the world situation has become more complex and unpredictable than before. This requires the international community to step up cooperation and coordinate actions to respond to the growing challenges, ranging from terrorism, nuclear proliferation, arms race, disputes over territories and resources, power politics, the use and threat of force, and non-traditional security challenges.

2015 was the final year to implement the five-year policies adopted by the 11th Party Congress and the Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) 2011-2015 with remarkable achievements recorded. The macroeconomic stability was maintained, inflation was kept under control and the economy expanded by 6.7%, the highest rate of the past five years. Positive results were seen in the growth model transformation and economic restructuring. Legal institutions were further improved in conformity with Viet Nam’s conditions and international trends, especially those to improve the business and investment environment and enhance competitiveness capacity. Social and political stability was maintained, social security ensured, people’s life substantially improved, national defense and security strengthened. 

Our country also integrated more deeply into the world economy. Viet Nam has signed 10 Free Trade Agreements. In 2015 alone, we signed two and concluded negotiations on two new-generation FTAs with top markets, especially EVFTA and TPP. Foreign relations also expanded. Viet Nam has established partnership frameworks with most major countries in the region and the world and continued to deepen the friendship and cooperation with other nations on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, legitimate interests and also respect for international law. The country's international position was further enhanced as Viet Nam continued to make more active contributions to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world at large.

These achievements are the fruits of the enormous efforts undertaken by the Party, State and people of Viet Nam and thanks to the valuable support and cooperation of the international community. On behalf of the Government and people of Viet Nam, I would like to express my profound thanks to you all present here, and through you, to the Government and people of countries around the world for having placed your trust in the development prospects of Viet Nam and  for supporting Viet Nam throughout the last 5 years.

 

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Viet Nam and other Southeast Asian countries entered the year 2016 as members of the ASEAN Community- our common home, which is built upon the three political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars. The ASEAN Community is the inevitable result of the regional cooperation process and the tireless efforts of ASEAN in nearly half a century. It is the shared vision and commitments of ASEAN member countries to elevate their cooperation and integration in order to better tap opportunities and respond to new challenges. Knowing that Community-building is a continuous and evolving process, ASEAN has adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, which represents the determination of all members to further deepen ASEAN integration, and to realize a rules-based, people-oriented and people-centred ASEAN Community that is outward looking and plays an important role in the region. With ASEAN spirit, strengths and Vision 2025, ASEAN will certainly build a solid foundation and create strong momentum for the development of all Southeast Asian countries, of ASEAN and the entire region.

We are very happy and proud of the success of ASEAN. But we are also aware of the very complex developments in the region, especially in the East Sea. As an active and responsible member of the ASEAN Community, Viet Nam will continue to take resolute actions to safeguard its sovereignty and legitimate interests. It is also our consistent position to resolve all disputes and differences by peaceful means on the basis of international law, the UN Charter and the 1982 UNCLOS. We oppose the use and threat of force, as well as militarization and all unilateral actions in the East Sea that attempt to change the status quo, threaten the security and safety of navigation and overfilght, violate international law, escalate tensions, undermine trust, and create long-lasting and serious implications on peace, security and stability in the region.

Viet Nam will, in collaboration with other regional countries, do its utmost to consolidate peace and stability in the region and in the East Sea. At the same time, we urge the parties concerned to implement fully and effectively the DOC and engage in substantive discussions for early conclusion of a COC. We would like to thank the international community for the strong voice and actions to support  Viet Nam and ASEAN’s endeavours for peace and stability and law compliance in the region and the world. We look forward to the continued support from the international community in this regard.

Excellencies,

Comrades and Friends,

ASEAN is a pillar and strategic priority in Viet Nam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations. During its 20-year journey together with ASEAN guided by the principle of “proactive, active and responsible” participation, Viet Nam has seriously fulfilled all commitments and obligations of a member state. The country has been among the leading members in delivering the ASEAN Economic Community building commitments, and also made significant contributions to the ASEAN development, which were recognised by countries in and outside the region. In the years ahead, Viet Nam will continue to work hard to build capacities in the country, mobilise resources, seriously deliver its integration commitments, and work closely with other countries to realise the ASEAN Community.

I wish to underline that Ambassadors, Chief representatives of foreign missions, international organisations and all foreign guests have a critical role to play as a bridge to connect your respective countries and organisations with Viet Nam, and through Viet Nam, with the ASEAN Community. I hope that you will continue to bring into full play your special missions, and join us in building a strong and united ASEAN and its centrality in the region for the sake of peace, cooperation and development of the region and the world.

 

Comrades and friends,

In this warm and cheerful celebration of the Lunar New Year, let us raise our glasses:

- to the success and prosperity of Viet Nam, ASEAN members and all nations across the globe and to the happiness of our peoples;

- to the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries, regional and international organisations;

- To the best of health, happiness and success of you all and your families on the occasion of the Vietnamese Tet.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!