Hanoi (VNA) – PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance in the 13th Asia - Europe Meeting(ASEM) Summit and related events will show the importance Vietnam attaches toASEM and affirm the country’s stature in this forum.

The PM will take part in themeetings on November 25 - 26 via videoconference, at the invitation of hisCambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

Themed “StrengtheningMultilateralism for Shared Growth”, the 13th ASEM Summit is expectedto help maintain cooperation in ASEM and enhance Asia - Europe connectivity.

As a founding member, Vietnamhas always shown proactive and active participation in and promoted ASEM cooperationfor peace, cooperation, and common development in the region.

The 53-member ASEM isimportant to Vietnam in terms of strategy, economy, politics, security,development, and society.

Over the last 25 years,Vietnam’s stature in this inter-regional cooperation mechanism has been growingthanks to socio-economic achievements, the fulfillment of duties inmultilateral organisations, and meaningful contributions to ASEM.

Through ASEM, Vietnam has wonsupport, stepped up the negotiation on its admission to the World TradeOrganisation (WTO), and boosted integration into the global economy.

In particular, at the ASEMSummit in Vietnam in 2004, the European Union was the first partner in theworld to sign a bilateral agreement supporting the country to become a memberof the WTO, which paved the way for many other deals to help Vietnam officiallygain the status in 2007.

Besides, Vietnam launchedtalks on a free trade agreement with the EU in 2010, at the 8th ASEMSummit in Belgium, and finished the negotiation at the 10th ASEMSummit in Italy.

It is assessed as one of themost active members as seen in its proposal, launch, and promotion of many newcooperation ideas. It has also directly carried out and co-sponsored nearly 60initiatives in different fields. Via these cooperation initiatives, the countryhas joined other ASEM members in highlighting the benefits of peace, security,and stability, resolving urgent problems, and promoting issues of common concern.

Vietnam’s bilateral relationswith other ASEM members have been developing in an increasingly substantivemanner. Among them, the EU expects Vietnam will serve as its key partner andconnectivity centre in the region.

PM Chinh’s participation inthe 13th ASEM Summit and related events will continue reflecting thecountry’s foreign policy of proactively and actively integrating into the world.It will also demonstrate the importance Vietnam attaches to ASEM, affirm thecountry’s role and stature in the forum, and help promote multilateraldiplomacy.

The Government leader’sattendance will also reiterate Vietnam’s consistent stance on some major issuesthat affect regional and global peace and stability; protect and promote thecountry’s priorities and interests in ASEM; and make use of internationalcooperation to combat the pandemic and accelerate economic recovery./.