‘Vietnam is a bright spot in ASEAN’s regional integration efforts’

On the afternoon of April 25, the Ministry of Information and Communications organized “Training conference on propaganda work on international integration, ASEAN and UNESCO”. The conference was attended by specialized reporters and editors from many news agencies.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Mr. Trieu Minh Long, Director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Information and Communications) shared that: “Today’s conference is organized to provide timely and regular information to The Ministry of Information and Communications advises press agencies on integration work. Through the spread of press agencies, it contributes to increasing people’s understanding of integration, UNESCO and ASEAN.”

ASEAN is an organization of peace, stability, cooperation and development

At the discussion session “ASEAN cooperation and Vietnam’s participation“, reporter Mekong ASEAN asked Mr. Trinh Minh Manh – Deputy Director of the ASEAN Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) about what the value of ASEAN means in promoting peace and stability in the region and the world, in the context of challenging international situation today.

Mr. Trinh Minh Manh said that the values ​​of ASEAN after nearly 60 years of formation and development include: solidarity, unity and unity in diversity; cooperation and dialogue; central role,…

From the time Vietnam joined ASEAN (1995) until now, as well as comparing with the geopolitical situation, there are many hot spots emerging (the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the war in the Gaza Strip, the in the Middle East, Africa,…), it is clear that ASEAN has maintained peace and stability in diversity.

However, Mr. Manh said that the recent Myanmar issue is proof that ASEAN also has internal difficulties.

“But overall, ASEAN still shows itself as an organization of peace, stability, cooperation and development. This is what makes ASEAN valuable, creating ASEAN’s attractiveness to partners around the world. Countries such as China, Australia, the US, India, South Korea, New Zealand, etc. all want to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN. This shows that ASEAN has value and is valued and respected by all major countries and together with ASEAN builds the Community,” Mr. Manh commented.

Vietnam is a bright spot in ASEAN’s regional integration efforts

With the question of Mekong ASEAN On what role Vietnam plays in promoting cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, Mr. Trinh Minh Manh affirmed that Vietnam has played a proactive and positive role, making great contributions in many fields. .

“This has been shown through the fact that, after Vietnam joined ASEAN (in 1995), we mobilized Laos and Cambodia to join the organization, thereby contributing to bringing ASEAN into a unified bloc,” Mr. Manh said.

Discussion session “ASEAN cooperation and Vietnam’s participation”. Photo: Do ​​Thao – Mekong ASEAN

Deputy Director of the ASEAN Department pointed out that: “From the early days of ‘bewilderment’ when we first joined ASEAN, sitting and observing and being cautious in everything, until now, Vietnam has gradually risen. Vietnam is playing a core and leading role in many important issues of ASEAN, especially related to issues of peace, stability and close interests for ASEAN.”

Vietnam has had many initiatives and contributed to the development of ASEAN, especially through the ASEAN Chairmanship year 2010 and ASEAN Chairmanship year 2020. Especially, in 2020 – the time of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, Vietnam has had many initiatives to make ASEAN operate smoothly and normally in an abnormal context. Vietnam is also at the forefront, at the core, and leading in many issues, contributing to regional peace (such as the East Sea issue,…).

Through the free trade network (FTA), Vietnam has become a bright spot in ASEAN’s regional integration efforts. Vietnam not only participates in FTAs ​​of ASEAN and ASEAN partners, but also “goes further” with new generation FTAs ​​such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Trade Agreement free trade between Vietnam – European Union (EVFTA),… This will create motivation for ASEAN member countries to continue deeper integration and closer cooperation.

Besides, Mr. Trinh Minh Manh also said that Vietnam’s foreign policy also “inspires” ASEAN’s foreign policy. In particular, Vietnam consistently implements the foreign policy of independence, autonomy, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of foreign relations.

“When compared with ASEAN, we can see that ASEAN also maintains the principles of independence, autonomy, multilateralization, diversification, and balance of relations between major countries,” he emphasized.

Mr. Manh also said that Vietnam’s contribution to ASEAN’s common results is demonstrated through participation in ASEAN forums; provide initiatives, contributions, and proposals in documents that have contributed to strengthening solidarity and unity in ASEAN; making the value of solidarity and unity of ASEAN the number one priority; contributing to enhancing the image, position and prestige of ASEAN in the international arena.