Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chaired a ceremony on July 28 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Vietnam’s entry into ASEAN and the bloc’s formation 48 years ago.
Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh and guests of honour at the ceremony. Photo: VNA
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chaired a ceremony on July 28 to celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Vietnam’s entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 28, 1995, and the bloc’s formation 48 years ago on August 8, 1967.
The Deputy PM said the formation of the ASEAN Community at the end of 2015 will have a significant impact on all member states and the region.
He said that based on the pillars of politics, security, economy and culture, the ASEAN Community would improve the solidarity of the people, help reduce tension and disputes and build peace, cooperation and development in the region.
He continued to say that ASEAN, with a population of more than 600 million and the seventh largest GDP in the world, would continue to play an important part in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Asian-Pacific region.
To achieve that goal, every ASEAN member state must strive to overcome obstacles, seize opportunities and unite.
In addition, ASEAN must take a proactive approach in safeguarding the region’s peace and security by leading efforts to build trust, share common standards and code of conduct to prevent conflicts and settle disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with international law, he suggested.
The Deputy PM emphasised that over the past two decades, ASEAN has always been a priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy and international integration.
As an active member, Vietnam has contributed to building an ASEAN of close connections, solidarity and unity, and making the group play a central role in the forming regional structure, he added.
He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government and people will continue their important contributions to the development of the association, for practical interests of ASEAN people at present and in the future.
Minh stated that he was grateful for the support and friendship of ASEAN member states and partners in the last 20 years.
At the event, Indonesian Ambassador Mayerfas congratulated Vietnam on its 20-year ASEAN membership.
Speaking of Vietnam’s friendship and cooperation spirit in ASEAN, the diplomat confirmed that Indonesia, together with other member states, will continually collaborate closely and stand side by side with Vietnam in the time to come.
On this occasion, a set of stamps welcoming the ASEAN Community was exhibited. This is the first time ASEAN countries issue joint stamps and postmark. The stamps will be issued on August 8 in Indonesia.-🤡VNA
A Malaysian senior official asserted the centre role played by ASEAN and its greater influence during a banquet for the bloc’s foreign and economic ministers in Kuala Lumpur, on April 25.
The Euro Press Image (EPI) portal on April 28 posted an article on the 26th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, that took place on the preceding two days, highlighting ASEAN’s bid to strengthen cooperation and diplomacy towards the formation of an ASEAN Community by the end of 2015.
Vietnam is actively preparing for the inception of the ASEAN Community slated for the year’s end and maximising its opportunities for more effective cooperation.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in Hanoi in the evening of July 23 after making his one-day fruitful visit to Thailand at the invitation of his counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh and guests of honour at the ceremony. Photo: VNA
