(VOVWORLD) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend Wednesday Summit to celebrate the 45th anniversary of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) in Belgium. PM Chinh’s attendance affirms that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing its comprehensive partnership and cooperation with the EU and supports the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership.
 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attends the 23rd ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting on December 1, 2020. (photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
Over the last 32 years, Vietnam-EU relations have reached a new level of equal partnership based on cooperation for mutual benefit, and Vietnam has played an important role in strengthening ASEAN-EU relations.
Vietnam supports ASEAN-EU cooperation
As a dynamic, creative, and active member of ASEAN, Vietnam always upholds its responsibility to promote extensive and effective cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, including the EU. Vietnam was the first ASEAN country to have cooperation frameworks with the EU in politics, economy, defense, and security, and specialized cooperation mechanisms, delegation exchanges, and contacts at all levels.
At the 23rd ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers’ online meeting on December 1, 2020, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, representing Vietnam as the ASEAN Chair, said “Vietnam supports officially elevating ASEAN-EU relations to a strategic partnership.”
At the annual ASEAN-EU Deputy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in September 2021, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung said "Vietnam values and will actively contribute to the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership."
At annual meetings and the ASEAN-EU Summit, Vietnam always delivers the clear message that it is a reliable partner and a responsible member in working with other countries to find solutions to urgent global challenges and contribute to humanitarian activities.
Last year, Vietnam donated 1 million USD to the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Program, demonstrating its solidarity and responsibility in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. In May this year Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced humanitarian assistance of 500,000 USD to the Ukrainian people through international organizations.
Wishing to work with ASEAN and EU countries to build a peaceful and stable environment in the Asia-Pacific and around the world, Vietnam made a strong commitment at the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26) to share the responsibility for green and sustainable development.
 EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesmans (photo: VOV) |
EU hails Vietnam’s role in ASEAN-EU relations
Vietnam's contributions to ASEAN-EU relations have been praised by EU politicians. Senator Andries Gryffroy, First Vice President of the Belgian Senate, said Vietnam has an important geostrategic position in the Indo-Pacific. Vietnam's dynamic economy is an important link in the supply chain and economy of ASEAN, given its stable macro-environment, its open consumer market, its political stability, and its consistent investment and economic development policy.
EU Ambassador to ASEAN, Igor Driesmans, said that for the European Union, Vietnam is not only an important bilateral partner but also an important member of ASEAN.
Vietnam has gone from being an aid recipient to being an equal partner in many cooperative mechanisms. Vietnam will play an increasingly prominent role in cooperation between ASEAN and the EU.