(VOVworld) – The 30^th ASEAN Summit, an important event to mark ASEAN’s 50^th anniversary, convenes in the Philippines today.  Attending the event, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of considering ASEAN a strategic priority of its external policy and its commitment to contribute to ASEAN’s future.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his wife arrived in Ninoy Aquino airport in Manila (photo VNA)

The 30^th ASEAN Summit is an important way for its members to affirm ASEAN’s central role in the global structure.

One year after the establishment of the ASEAN Community

Despite global complications, ASEAN has entered a new development stage with resolute determination and effort. The ASEAN Community has obtained encouraging results in the first year of its Community  and Vision 2025.

ASEAN has proved its central role in dialogue and cooperation for regional peace and stability through its efforts to strengthen unity. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung heads Vietnam’s delegation to the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM). “In the face of unpredictable global developments, the Asia-Pacific region continues to be a strategic target of many powerful countries. Some ASEAN countries have experienced political changes. The greatest challenge for ASEAN is maintaining its central role in regional cooperative mechanisms.”

The challenges require tremendous efforts from ASEAN members to develop on the right track. At the ASEAN Summit, the leaders will discuss ways to connect and narrow development gaps and effectively carry out the 3^rd phase of the Initiative for ASEAN Connectivity and the Master Plan on Connectivity 2025. ASEAN will consider expanding cooperation with its dialogue partners.

Vietnam contributes to ASEAN Community

During 20 years of ASEAN membership, Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member, contributing significantly to ASEAN unity, consensus, and effective performance. Vietnam’s ministries and sectors have developed projects and action plans to implement ASEAN’s Vision and Master Plan for the 3 pillars of security-politics, economics, and culture-society. Vietnam’s initiatives to promote ASEAN’s role have been supported, including, for example, the ASEAN Regional Forum’s Declaration on enhancing cooperation among maritime law enforcement forces.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung again: “We have policies and actions that serve the common interests of Vietnam and ASEAN. We respect other countries’ interests to ensure harmony and consensus. We’re aware of the challenges that ASEAN countries have to overcome together.”

Vietnam will continue to promote its role, advocate practical cooperation for the sake of all ASEAN people, and work with other ASEAN countries to maintain unity, consensus, and the foundational principles of ASEAN.