Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)The PM highlighted the achievements that ASEANhas gained over the past a half century to become a strong and united communitywith rules-based operation and comprehensive and extensive connectivity acrossthe fields, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperationand development in the region.
ASEAN has an increasing role and position in theregion and beyond, he said, adding that the association is also playing a crucialrole in the evolving regional architecture.
The bloc should reinforce solidarity and unity,promote internal strength to increase its connectivity and build a rules-basedcommunity with the widespread participation of people to bring them with pragmaticbenefits, he recommended.
With a population of over 630 million and thetotal gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly 2.6 trillion USD per year, rankingsixth in the world, along with a peaceful and stable environment, ASEAN is aspotlight of economic cooperation in the Asian-Pacific region and the world atlarge.
“The achievements that ASEAN has gained over thepast 50 years are very huge, creating a firm foundation for the development ofthe ASEAN Community and the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025,” hesaid.
Heaffirmed that Vietnam always considers ASEAN a prioritized pillar in itsforeign policy and vows to continue accompanying the bloc’s member states tobuild the ASEAN Community of unity, peace, stability and strength and successfullyaccomplish the ASEAN Vision 2025 and blueprints, contributing to maintainingpeace and stability, and stepping up cooperation and development in the region.
On the occasion, healso thanked the bloc’s partners, international organizations and friends fortheir cooperation and support for the ASEAN member states over the past time,and wished that the Ambassadors and officials of the internationalorganizations would continue acting as an effective bridge for their countriesand organizations and Vietnam and ASEAN.
Addressing the ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servigonstressed that one of ASEAN’s big achievements over the past five decades isdeveloping into a strong bloc, which has been acknowledged and respectedglobally, from a five-member organization.
He highly valued Vietnam’s organization of numerous activities to mark ASEAN’s50th founding anniversary in many localities and informedparticipants of the successful outcomes of the 50th ASEAN ForeignMinisters’ Meeting and related meetings.
He also congratulated Vietnam on its 22 years of joining the bloc.-VNA
VNA
