PM sends message on VN’s assumption of ASEAN Chairmanship
VGP - Việt Nam officially takes over the Presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on January 1, 2010, just at the moment it celebrates the 15th anniversary of admission to the Association. On the occasion, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng extended to leaders and peoples of ASEAN members, partner countries and international friends the message of peace, solidarity, friendship and development cooperation.
December 31, 2009 5:02 PM GMT+7
PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng extended to
leaders and peoples of ASEAN
members, partner countries and international friends the message of peace,
solidarity, friendship and development cooperation- Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc
The following
is the full text of PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng’s speech:
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades and
compatriots
Dear friends,
Việt Nam
is assuming the Presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) for one year, starting on January 1, 2010, just at the moment when the
country celebrates the 15th anniversary of its admission to ASEAN. This
is a great honor and also a huge responsibility. We have early done
preparations in all fields and are now ready to undertake this mission in the best possible way.
Experiencing more than 40 years of development, ASEAN now
becomes a dynamic regional organization of ten Southeast Asian countries, with
many cooperative activities in all fields of politics, economics, culture and
society. The Association has made significant contributions to consolidating
and strengthening peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast
Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, ASEAN has
fostered trustful partnerships with all big nations and important regional blocs
worldwide while playing an important role in regional and international
frameworks of cooperation.
ASEAN
leaders at the 15th ASEAN Summit, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Thailand,
October 23-25, 2009 - Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc
ASEAN cooperation is a strategic priority which will
facilitate Việt Nam’s
cause of national construction and protection. We always consider the
participation in ASEAN cooperation an important component of Việt Nam’s
diplomatic policy of diversification, multilateralization, and regional and
international integration. Over the past 15 years, we have taken an active part
in and contributed to the Association. In the new stage, we will join ASEAN
cooperation in a "proactive, initiative and
responsible" principle, helping to build ASEAN an closer and stronger alliance.
Việt
Nam
takes over the chairmanship of ASEAN when the Association is advancing to a new
stage of development, entering the hinge year of the five years of building the
ASEAN Community by 2015. The Charter and Roadmap for the construction of the
ASEAN Community overwhelmingly approved by ASEAN leaders are visions and the framework of
action for ASEAN, with the overall target of building the ASEAN Community with
three pillars - Politics-Security, Economy, and Culture-Society – and putting
the ASEAN Charter into reality. Therefore, all member nations show their high
consensus with Việt Nam-initiated theme for the Year of ASEAN Presidency 2010 “Towards the ASEAN Community: From vision to
action.” This will be ASEAN's backbone policy in 2010.
Activities
at the 15th ASEAN Summit, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Thailand,
October 23-25, 2009 - Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc
Based on this orientation, Việt Nam’s focus and priorities in the
Year of ASEAN Presidency 2010 will be to consolidate ASEAN solidarity and alliance; fruitfully realize the Charter and Roadmap towards the ASEAN
Community; expand and deepen cooperation between ASEAN and partners; and
proactively popularize and heighten the bloc's international role and status. We will actively promote cooperation within ASEAN and between the
bloc and its partners in order to cope with global challenges, such as
financial-economic crisis, food and energy security, climate change, natural
calamities and epidemics.
Apart
from assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship, in 2010, Việt Nam will see many important events,
especially the 1000th anniversary of Thăng Long-Hà Nội. Thus, when
hosting important ASEAN events, we should introduce to friends from ASEAN and
other countries about Việt Nam’s country, people, cultural traditions, history
and potentials for development; showcase images of a renovated and dynamic Việt
Nam with firm socio-political stability and a diplomatic policy of independence,
self-reliance, peace, friendship and cooperation with all countries, and taking initiative in international integration.
Photo: VGP
The Government and people of Việt Nam will show their high determination and
necessary resources to fulfill its missions as the Chair of ASEAN, proving Việt
Nam’s
contributions and imprints in all fields, from contents of activities, information work, to logistics,
security and safety. I require ministries, sectors and localities, particularly
the National Committee for ASEAN 2010, to highlight their sense of responsibility,
flexibility and creativeness in order to complete all tasks and plans.
On behalf of the Government and
people of Việt Nam,
which will chair ASEAN, I would like to take this occasion to convey to leaders and
peoples of all ASEAN members, partner countries and international friends the
message of peace, solidarity, friendship and development cooperation. An ASEAN on
the way towards its common community needs supports and joint efforts from all of
you, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world. I hope
that all ASEAN members, partner countries and international friends to assist Việt
Nam
in successfully undertaking the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2010.
