The 10 ASEAN member countries (Source: asean.org) Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Collins Chong Yew Keat, apolicy and foreign affairs expert at the Kuala Lumpur-based University of Malaya,said Vietnam has always played an active part in and made active andresponsible contributions to ASEAN activities, thus winning recognition andhigh evaluation from other member countries.
He noted that it has shown support for the Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), signed in 2002 to prevent conflictand build trust among the parties concerned.
To the Myanmar issue, Vietnam and other Southeast Asiancountries are making efforts via existing mechanisms, especially ASEAN, to minimise risks. Vietnam has strongly advocated the peaceful settlement ofdisputes and is now an important pillar of the bloc. It is promotingcooperation with other ASEAN countries in terms of both economy and security -defence to guarantee regional peace and stability.
It is also actively working with regional countries to securebenefits and progress for ASEAN members while reinforcing ties between theassociation and partners such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, andIndia.
Vietnam has established itself as one of the leadingcountries in enhancing cooperation and resolving challenges facing ASEAN,including the Myanmar and East Sea issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other non-traditionalsecurity threats, according to Collins.
He held that the country has also made considerablecontributions to the identification of the common development targets and orientationsof ASEAN, especially in economy.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Vietnam in 2001adopted the Hanoi Declaration on Narrowing Development Gap for Closer ASEANIntegration, which specified four priority economic areas – infrastructure construction, humanresources development, information and communication technology, and regionaleconomic integration, which are critical to boosting ASEAN economicintegration, bringing about benefits to member countries, creating a shield fortrade and investment, and reducing members’ dependence on non-ASEAN countries.
As superpowers are competing for influence in the region, theidentification of the four abovementioned economic priorities holds animportant and indispensable role in the economic development of not onlyVietnam and Malaysia, but also other ASEAN countries, the expert went on.
He said with its commitments and capabilities to realise themin some fields like digital economy, human resources, green economy, foodsecurity, supply chains, and others, Vietnam is currently well-positioned tobecome a leading country in promoting not only its own interests but also thecommon interests and demand of ASEAN.
The country will continue playing an important role inguaranteeing stability, peace, and common interests of ASEAN in the time ahead,Collins added.
On July 26, the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany hosteda celebration of the 56th anniversary of ASEAN (August 8, 1967 -2023) and an ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony.
Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Quang Minh, the rotational Presidentof the Berlin ASEAN Committee (BAC), chaired the events, which were attended bythe ambassadors, chargé d’affaires, their spouses, and staff members of theembassies of ASEAN countries in Germany.
The celebration of the 56th anniversary of ASEANin Berlin was among the activities marking this occasion organised by member countriesaround the world. Meanwhile, the ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony is a regular andproud practice of all members on every founding anniversary of the associationto honour the common values and commitment to promoting solidarity, friendship,and cooperation in the ASEAN Community.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Minh chaired the fifth BACmeeting. He is holding the BAC presidency from July to December 2023.
Among the events marking the bloc’s 56th anniversary,the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany will also coordinate with its ASEANcounterparts to hold several workshops and discussions to look into ASEAN’srole and potential amid geo-political uncertainties. They will also pay workingvisits to some German localities to strengthen cooperation./.
VNA
