PM highlights ASEAN chief’s role in promoting regional connectivity

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received in Hanoi on March 31 Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi on the sidelines of the sixth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit (GMS-6).

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi (Photo: VGP)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi (Photo: VGP)

The PM highlighted the increasing role of the ASEAN chief and ASEAN Secretariat in promoting regional connectivity and ensuring harmony among nations.

He said he hopes in the coming time, the ASEAN Secretariat will further promote its function of researching and proposing policies which serve as a basis for member countries’ consultation.

The ASEAN Secretariat also needs to step up supervision and coordination of the implementation of the grouping’s agreements, he said, stressing the principle of consensus.

The PM underlined the ASEAN Secretariat’s tasks of strengthening solidarity among member countries, and maintaining the central role in an open, transparent and rules-based regional architecture based on respect for the interests of each other.

The PM affirmed Vietnam will do its best to contribute to the bloc’s development while asking the ASEAN Secretary General to coordinate and create conditions for Vietnam to fulfil the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020.

The ASEAN chief said he believes that Vietnam will fulfill its role as ASEAN Chair in 2020, and expressed his wish that PM Phuc will considers financial support in order to contribute to improving effectiveness of the ASEAN Secretariat’s future activities.