(VOVworld) - Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, Pham Quang Vinh, chaired a regular meeting of the ASEAN Washington Committee (AWC) on Thursday.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, Pham Quang Vinh at the event (VNA)

Representatives from ten ASEAN member states were joined by several US diplomats. The meeting discussed the implementation of agreements reached at the ASEAN-US Summit in Sunnylands, and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers ' Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Vientiane, Laos.  Ambassador Vinh said ASEAN and the US should closely cooperate to ensure peace, stability, and development in the region, including security and navigation freedom and safety on the East Sea. He suggested the US to further support the ASEAN Economic Community as well as accelerating the implementation of the ASEAN-US Connect initiative announced at the ASEAN-US Summit in Sunnylands, including support for innovation and startups. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Carouso proposed several measures aiming at deploying the US-ASEAN connectivity initiative and stirring up the startup and innovative spirit in the region.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN-US Business Council Chief, Alexander Feldman, pledged to work hand in glove with the ASEAN Ambassador to promote the ASEAN Economic Community’s image in the US.