DPM, FM Pham Binh Minh meets Thai PM ahead of AMM-52

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh (L) and Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha ahead of the opening ceremony of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-52), Bangkok, Thailand, July 31, 2019 - Photo: VNA

In the statement as the next ASEAN Chair, Deputy PM, FM Minh noted that ASEAN is growing stronger while its central role and international status have been consolidated and the process of building the ASEAN Community is actively underway. 

ASEAN needs to stand firm, enhance solidarity and self-reliance, and uphold the rule of law in coping with complicated regional and international developments, he said. 

Minh asserted the active support of Viet Nam for Thailand's efforts in advancing partnership for sustainability during the Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019.  

As the next ASEAN Chairmanship, Viet Nam will continue the spirit and motivation of 2019 to further strengthen ASEAN solidarity and connectivity and promote the central role of ASEAN in effectively addressing security and global development challenges, he affirmed. 

The AMM-52 officially opened on July 31 in Bangkok, Thailand with the participation of Foreign Ministers from 10 ASEAN nations and the ASEAN Secretary-General. Deputy PM, FM Minh led the Vietnamese delegation to join the event. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thai PM Chan-o-cha confirmed that ASEAN needs to build on commitment to creating a people-centred ASEAN Community that leaves no one behind.

To achieve the goal, ASEAN should consolidate the bloc-led mechanisms,  strengthen cooperation with our Dialogue Partners and with other countries outside the region while also welcoming new cooperation with new partners.

ASEAN also needs to continue driving forward the ASEAN Community that is peaceful, secured, and sustainable on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual understanding.

After the opening ceremony, ASEAN Foreign Ministers attended plenary and retreat meetings to discuss issues related to ASEAN Community building, external relations, preparations for high-levels summits and international and regional issues of common concerns. 

The same day, ASEAN Foreign Ministers will meet with each of their counterparts from 10 dialogue partners, namely China, Russia, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, India, Canada, the U.S., the EU and the Republic of Korea under the ASEAN Plus One mechanism. 

The AMM-52 and related meetings are taking place from July 30-August 3./.

By Thuy Dung