ASEAN 2020: online meetings save travel, organisations costs
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung spoke of the organisation of the upcoming 36th ASEAN Summit as well as topics to be tabled for discussion at the meeting, during a press conference in Hanoi on June 23.
The press conference on the 36th ASEAN Summit. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of theNational ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung spoke of the organisation of theupcoming 36th ASEAN Summit as well as topics to be tabled fordiscussion at the meeting, during a press conference in Hanoi on June 23.
Notingthat ASEAN has wanted to increase online meetings for years to cut travel andorganisation costs but yet to realize it, Dung said the COVID-19 pandemic hasforced the bloc’s member countries to do it this year, which took placeeffectively.
Accordingto him, the difference in time zone is the biggest challenge in holding videoconferences with ASEAN partners, such as the upcoming meetings within theEast-Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) with theparticipation of 27 countries, including those from North America andAustralia.
Asfor issues to be discussed at the summit, Deputy FM Dung said ASEAN leaderswill seek ways to increase intra-bloc trade, adding that the COVID-19 pandemichas reminded the member countries to optimise their domestic markets and theASEAN market.
Regardinglabour movement, the Deputy Minister said ASEAN is optimistic that legalframeworks and agreements within the bloc will ensure adequate conditions forlabour movement inside the bloc.
Mentioningthe Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Dung stressed that thedeal is a priority of ASEAN and its negotiation partners. He said except for Indiathat has temporarily withdrawn from the negotiations, the remainingparticipants are resolved to sign the deal this year.
TheDeputy FM also said intensified strategic competition between the US and China,and among powers is posing many challenges to not only the ASEAN but also theworld as a whole. Dung affirmed that ASEAN will not take sides and has its ownstance on regional and international issues.
Citingthe issuance of the “ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific” under which the blochas expressed its viewpoints on the region as well as its principles, he saidthat is the way for ASEAN to maintain its central role in the region.
“Ibelieve that this spirit will be upheld at the 36th ASEAN Summit,slated for June 26, as well as at the 37th summit in November,” hesaid./.
The upcoming 36th ASEAN Summit will focus on the development of the ASEAN Community in the immediate future and measures to address the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in the region, Deputy Foreign Minister and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung has said.
Ministers from countries participating in negotiations over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) gathered at the 10th intersessional meeting held in the form of a video conference on June 23 under the chair of Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.
A virtual 23rd meeting of the ASEAN Social-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council took place in Hanoi on June 23, with the ten ministers in charge of ASCC, the ASEAN Secretary General, delegates from member countries, and the ASEAN Secretariat taking part.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The press conference on the 36th ASEAN Summit. (Photo: VNA) 
