Vietnam actively builds a cohesive and responsive ASEAN

As ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam considers the building of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN to be the main task during its chairmanship, according to Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang.

Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang.
Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang.

At the ministry’s regular press conference on October 15, in regards to information that some partner countries, namely the US, Japan, India, and Australia, wish to strengthen ties with ASEAN countries in terms of the freedom of navigation, the spokeswoman said ASEAN always welcomes initiatives and ideas that contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

She noted that as ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam considers the building of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN as the main task during its chairmanship. On that basis, the country has been stepping up the community building, affirming ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture, and expanding the bloc’s external relations.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic causing a direct, long-term and profound impact on socio-economic aspects around the world and the region, Vietnam wishes and is ready to join hands with ASEAN and partner countries to recover the economy and stabilise people’s lives towards an Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

During this process, international law and the spirit of dialogue and cooperation needs to be upheld constantly, she added.

Regarding Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide’s upcoming visit to Vietnam, which is his first overseas trip after he took office, Hang affirmed that Vietnam welcomes PM Suga’s selection of Vietnam for his first overseas trip after taking office.

“This is a vivid demonstration of the fruitful, strong, and practical development of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership across various spheres,” she added.

“We believe that the visit will go well and contribute significantly to promoting the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership as well as the post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery and development of the two countries,” she continued.