(VOVworld) – ASEAN cooperation is considered of strategic importance for Vietnam’s national defense and development. In 2013, pursuing its national diplomatic orientation, Vietnam identifies as its key tasks deepening its relations with other countries and reinforcing its status in the international arena by proactively involving itself in multi-lateral forums, like ASEAN.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attends the ASEAN Global Dialogue

An ASEAN member for 18 years, Vietnam considers ASEAN cooperation an important part of its external policy. ASEAN cooperation has become more essential as Vietnam has integrated into the international community. The documents of the 11^th Party Congress said that under the motto of being “proactive, positive and responsible”, Vietnam will work with other countries to build a strong ASEAN community. Vietnam has contributed to building a closely integrated, united, and strong ASEAN with an increasingly important role, regionally and internationally, in striving for the common goals of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperous development.

Last year, Vietnam advocated the building of an ASEAN community and completed its role as Country Coordinator of ASEAN – China External Relations from 2009 – 2012. Nguyen Tien Minh is Head of the ASEAN Department, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Vietnam performed well its coordinating role to boost bilateral ties. China is ASEAN’s strategically important partner and bilateral talks have mentioned the complicated East Sea issue. On one hand, we have to protect Vietnam’s sovereignty. On the other hand, we, on behalf of ASEAN, have to boost the bloc’s friendly relations with China. We were successful when, last July, China and ASEAN met to discuss the implementation of the DOC and to forward the negotiation of the COC.”

Early this year, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh became ASEAN Secretary General for the 2013 – 2018 term. In this period, ASEAN will seek consensus on important regional issues and a way to foster the bloc’s unity, balance members’ interests, enhance cooperation with ASEAN’s partners, and accelerate the building of an ASEAN community. These goals will require efforts not just from Secretary General Minh but also from the Vietnamese diplomatic sector. Mr. Minh says: “ASEAN needs a peaceful and stable environment and the Secretary General has to boost the formation and implementation of a code of conduct. In the face of complicated developments in the region relating to sovereignty disputes in the East Sea, it’s crucial to ensure compliance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) leading to the adoption of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) and the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty to maintain peace and stability and prevent regional destabilization.

Vietnam intends to be a proactive, positive, and responsible member of ASEAN and integrate the bloc’s action programs with national target programs to create a peaceful, stable environment for national development. Vietnam has adopted a national Action Program on Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN until 2015. The Prime Minister has issued regulations on Vietnamese agencies’ coordination with ASEAN in the new period. Nguyen Tien Minh says: “It’s necessary to consolidate ASEAN unity and collaboration in regional and international issues and maintain the bloc’s central role. This is a challenging task. Vietnam will work with their ASEAN countries to accelerate connectivity in infrastructure and institution. The country will strengthen collaboration among ministries and sectors to be effectively involved in ASEAN."

2013 is a pivotal year in building an ASEAN community. Member countries have realized that it’s essential to foster unity and consensus to reach the goal. Vietnam has exerted its effort to work with other ASEAN countries to make ASEAN a stronger organization with a prominent voice internationally.

Anh Huyen