Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has writtenan article highlighting the potential of growing cooperation in the Asia-EuropeMeeting (ASEM), on the occasion of its 25th founding anniversary on March1.

Since its establishment in 1996, ASEM has become the world’s largestinter-regional cooperation mechanism, with 53 states from the two continents.It has affirmed its important role in peace, security, stability, and prosperous developmentin both, making practical contributions to shaping major trends and the stateof affairs around the world in the 21st century.

ASEM has upheld its indispensable role in strengthening connectivity,expanding cooperation and links between countries, enterprises, and people on thetwo continents.

It has raised an important voice in maintaining peace, security, and stabilityas well as socio-economic governance in the region and the world. The spirit ofdialogue and coordination in policy and action within the ASEM framework holds majorsignificance, contributing to promoting peace and cooperation in building arules-based world order.

With effective and practical cooperation programmes, ASEM continuedaffirming its leading role in fostering Asia-Europe connectivity in all areas.

As Asia and Europe are major driving forces for economic growth andinnovation in the 21st century, ASEM is expected to be able torealise global goals regarding sustainable and inclusive development based oncreativity and digitalisation.

ASEM also continued to create an effective framework to deepen bilateraland multilateral relationships between the two regions.

The elevation of ties between the two to strategic partnership hascreated new momentum for further enhancing the intertwined interests andcohesion between Asia and Europe on the basis of shared common values.

Deputy Minister Son added it could be said that in a changing world withmany new trends, ASEM has continued to affirm its huge potential and has numerousopportunities to promote the forum’s core values even more.

The ASEM forum is entering a period of vigorous development to meet newrequirements.

He held that it should have a stronger voice in upholding internationallaw and common principles of conduct so as to maintain peace and security,prevent conflict, and guarantee stability and prosperity in both regions; stepup the comprehensive partnership; and unceasingly reinforce cohesion and sharecommon perceptions between the two continents’ people.

The Asia-Europe political dialogue should remain itself as the foundation forglobal peace and stability, dialogue promotion, trust building, preventivediplomacy, and the effective settlement of global challenges.

In the pillar of economy - development, an urgent requirement is topromote new driving forces for growth and give top priority to assistingmembers in restructuring their economies, narrowing the development gaps, andimproving the capacity of developing member states, he wrote.

Becoming a founding member of ASEM in 1996 marked an important step inthe implementation of Vietnam’s foreign policy of openness andmultilateralisation and diversification of external relations.

Over the last 25 years, Vietnam has made dynamic and responsiblecontributions to significant milestones in ASEM’s development as well as to theenhancement of the forum’s role and stature.

The country has been assessed as one of the most active members ininitiating, proposing, and promoting new cooperation ideas, Son noted.

Through cooperation initiatives, Vietnam and other ASEM member countrieshave advocated peace, security, and stability, handled urgent issues, andraised issues of common concern.

Joining ASEM cooperation has not only helped Vietnam improve itsposition and role in the international arena but also benefited its securityand development.

The successful fulfilment of positions such as host of the ASEM Summitin 2004 and the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2009, Coordinator in1999-2000 and 2001-2002, and Deputy Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation for 2008-2012 alsohelped the country play a part in building and realising many of the forum’s majororientations and strategies.

On the basis of ASEM cooperation, bilateral ties between Vietnam andother member countries have been enhanced and elevated.

Amid the comprehensive, intensive, extensive and effective international integration, the enhancement and elevation ofmultilateral diplomacy and the intensification of the Asia-Europe partnership,including ASEM cooperation, hold significance for peace, security, stability, andeconomic growth in Vietnam and the country’s position.

It will continue to join hands with other ASEM member countries toadvance the forum’s cooperation, while developing the Asia-Europe partnershipin a dynamic and cohesive manner, for the development and prosperity of the twocontinents and the world at large./.