Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA) Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The 20th East AsiaForum (EAF-20) opened in Nha Trang city, the south central province of KhanhHoa on December 19.
Speaking at the event, acting head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam AmbassadorVu Ho highlighted the significance of the EAF-20 on the occasion of the 25th founding anniversary of ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea).
He said cooperation process between ASEAN and three NortheastAsian countries, which startedin 1997, has become one of the most comprehensive, dynamic and effectivecooperation frameworks of the bloc, making positive contributions to peace,security and development in East Asia.
Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee LeHuu Hoang wished that via the event, delegates would understand more about theprovince’s strengths and potential to connect it with localities in ASEAN, China,Japan and the RoK, thus achieving inclusive, even and sustainable developmentas the theme of the forum.
Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the RoK SOM Choi Young-sam,for his part, vowed to continue working closely with ASEAN, China and Japan to further promote ASEAN+3 cooperation in the coming time. He suggestedgiving priority to trade cooperation, financial stability, support for smalland medium-sized enterprises, capacity building for health resilience, digitaltransformation, response to climate change, and promotion of even andsustainable development.
Ambassador Cui Tiankai, head of the Chinese delegation, affirmedthat China always treasures and pledges to promote ASEAN+3 framework - thedriving force of growth in East Asia. He asked ASEAN+3 countries to continue upholdingthe spirit of solidarity and cooperation for mutual benefit and trust, and focus onpractical and effective cooperation while maintaining an environment of peaceand stability, facilitating recovery and development, expanding inclusivecooperation, promoting multilateralism and trade liberalization, andaccelerating innovation, digital and green transformation.
On the occasion, he announced that China will host the EAF-21 nextyear.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN and head of the Japanesedelegation Kiya Masahiko proposed joint work in priority areasstated in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), including maritimecooperation, high-quality infrastructure connectivity and development, people-to-peopleexchange, public health, sustainable agriculture development, food security,climate change response, and fulfillment of sustainable development goals.
In his speech, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Tran Duc Binh suggested in the near future, ASEAN coordinate with China, Japan and the RoKto strengthen and further uphold the role of cooperation mechanisms within the ASEAN 3 framework,thus making effective contributions to maintaining peace and stability in theregion.
He proposed stepping up economic, trade and financialcooperation as a lever to propel recovery and inclusive growth, towardssustainable development while giving priority to consolidating regional healthcapacity, especially in research, development and production of vaccines.
ꦓ Results of discussions at the two-day event will be submitted tosenior officials of ASEAN+3 countries to set specific orientations and measuresto further deepen ASEAN+3 cooperation in the new period./.
