Conference reviews Viet Nam’s participation in ASEAN cooperation

He also asked them to propose measures aiming to facilitate their active, proactive and responsible contributions and enhance the effectiveness of their activities in ASEAN cooperation; and work out a roadmap and specific implementation steps to prepare Viet Nam for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2020.

The deputy PM made the request while chairing a conference reviewing Viet Nam’s participation in ASEAN cooperation in Ha Noi on December 26. 

The participants agreed that ASEAN has obtained significant achievements in all spheres. The 22 years of participating in ASEAN cooperation has brought crucial and practical benefits for Viet Nam, including the creation of a peaceful and stable environment for socio-economic development, the protection of national sovereignty and security, and the promotion of Viet Nam’s international integration as well as the country’s international status. 

Amid complicated and unpredictable developments in the new situation, ASEAN is encountering many difficulties and serious challenges, requiring joint efforts and contributions of its member countries, including Viet Nam, they stated.

As evaluated at the conference, Viet Nam’s involvement in ASEAN cooperation is being faced by multiple challenges, especially in terms of awareness, resources and the coordination and collaboration mechanisms between ministries and sectors.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy PM Minh praised the active engagement and effective contributions of ministries and sectors participating in ASEAN cooperation over the past few years. Pointing out the existing shortcomings, he asked ministries and sectors to promptly overcome those limitations in order to take full advantage of the benefits brought by ASEAN cooperation.

The deputy PM urged relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to take specific measures to raise awareness about the role and importance of ASEAN to Viet Nam, in addition to developing a roadmap for the implementation of specific cooperation activities in each area.

Emphasizing the coordination and collaboration work among ministries and sectors, Minh insisted on the prompt building of draft amendments to the working and coordination regulations between Viet Nam’s agencies participating in ASEAN cooperation, as well as the enhancement of the coordinating role of the ASEAN National Secretariat of Viet Nam.

In order to prepare for the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, the deputy PM directed relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss and propose priorities and initiatives, thus demonstrating Viet Nam’s proactive, active and responsible contributions in its participation in ASEAN cooperation.

                                                                                                                                        By Vien Nhu