PM urges ASEAN+3 mechanism to work towards regional economic growth

Photo:VGP/Quang Hieu

The PM made the remark at  the ASEAN 3 Summit (with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) in Manila, the Philippines on November 14.

At the meeting, the leaders highlighted the significance of the year 2017 as the ASEAN 3 cooperation mechanism celebrates 20 years of its founding. In that spirit, they adopted the Manila Declaration on the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN 3 Cooperation, aiming to review the achievements gained over the past two decades.

Delegates spoke highly of the importance of the cooperation projects, launched by the ASEAN 3 mechanism, in supporting member countries, especially developing ones like  Viet Nam, to implement development goals, including bridging the development gap, eliminating hunger and reducing poverty, stabilizing finance, developing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting tourism cooperation. 

Photo:VGP/Quang Hieu

On the occasion, the leaders also approved the ASEAN 3 Leaders’ Statement on Food Security Cooperation, and recognized the two documents, “Report on the implementation of the ASEAN 3 cooperation action plan” and “ASEAN 3 Economic Cooperation Action Plan”, which were adopted by ASEAN 3 Foreign Ministers in August 2017.

In the statement on food security, the leaders affirmed their commitment to boosting food security cooperation between countries in the region, as well as put forward a number of specific implementation measures.   

Photo:VGP/Quang Hieu

At the summit, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized the significance of the 20th anniversary of ASEAN 3 cooperation, whilst recognizing its development journey, during which cooperation has been expanded to 20 fields from eight fields initially, with more than 457 projects implemented in an array of spheres. 

He highly appreciated the support offered by the three partner countries to the process of building the ASEAN Community and maintaining peace, stability and security in the region.

The PM called on ASEAN 3 member nations to accelerate cooperation in response to emerging security challenges, including transnational crime, climate change, disasters and epidemics. 

                                                                                                             By Vien Nhu