Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has actively gotinvolved in the realisation of ASEAN commitments since the country joined theassociation on July 28, 1995, according Deputy Minister of Foreign AffairsNguyen Quoc Dung.

He made the statement in an interview granted toVietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of ASEANestablishment on August 8, 1967 and the 23rd anniversary of Vietnam’smembership.

The official said Vietnam was the second countryafter Singapore to fully implement commitments of the ASEAN Economic Community.

Vietnam is pioneering in the fields of securityand politics, he added.

Vietnam is leading in international economicintegration, he said, noting that the country is one of the three ASEAN memberstates to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership (CPTPP).

Vietnam and Singapore are securing a free tradearea agreement with the European Union (EU).

Vietnam was the first country in ASEAN topartake in the free trade area with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Dungnoted.

The diplomat added that Vietnam gained a numberof benefits after joining ASEAN.

First, it is the peaceful cooperationenvironment that enables the country to develop its economy and attractinvestment as well as expand markets for trade development.

Secondly, Vietnam implements its policy ofinternational integration through ASEAN, Dung said, noting that ASEAN was thefirst step for the country to integrate itself into the world and connect withother economies.

Last but not least, Vietnam enjoys collectivestrength and interests when joining ASEAN.

ASEAN is a forum for Vietnam to promote its roleand image as well as contribute more to the common interests of the region andbeyond, he said.

ASEAN has recorded great achievements, which were acknowledged,after 50 years of formation and development, Dung stressed.

The bloc has become a successful organisation in many aspects such as security,politics, economy, culture and society, he said, adding that over the past fivedecades, ASEAN has learned the lesson that it is necessary to enhance unity and intra-bloc cooperation for mutual development.

ASEAN set up mechanisms led by itself which prove effective and are implementedby the group’s member nations, Dung noted.


He added that ASEAN has affirmed its position and role in not onlyin Southeast Asia, but also in Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Dung, however, said ASEAN has also faced many difficulties and challenges informing the ASEAN Community, including the development gap among member nationsand the difference in organizational structures and political institutions aswell as in their interests, the robust changes in the region, and the impact ofthe 4th industrial revolution.

The fierce competition in strategies from big countries, strong changes in theregion, and the increasing protectionism are also challenges to ASEAN’sprinciple and purpose to support free trade, he noted.

All member countries should be aware of the value of community strength tothem, to the region and the world, thus contributing to harmonizing benefit oftheir own countries with the interest of the ASEAN Community and the region,Dung stressed.

ASEAN should be determined to realise its set targets and commitments, whilebalancing its relations with partners, especially big countries, he added.

Regarding Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, Deputy MinisterDung said the assumption is not only the responsibility but also an opportunityfor the country to prove its capacity, and promote its land and people.

The year 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of Vietnam’sASEAN membership as well as five years of the establishment of the ASEANCommunity and the mid-term review of the implementation of the ASEAN MasterPlan on Connectivity (2015-2025), he said.

Therefore, Vietnam is constructively preparing for theChairmanship in terms of material facilities, and financial and humanresources, the official noted.

“We need to understand what ASEAN needs so as to propose topicsthat serve the common interests of ASEAN member countries,” he said.-VNA