(VOVworld) - The special ASEAN-US Summit opens in Sunnylands, California, the US, on February 16 (Vietnamese time) with the presence of US President Barack Obama and leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung led the Vietnamese delegation to the event. The summit will focus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and the East Sea issue.

Participants discussed economic and trade affairs, particularly the implementation of the TPP, during the first working day on the theme “Promoting Regional Prosperity through Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” The TPP is a high-standard free trade agreement with the engagement of four ASEAN member states – Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. Other ASEAN countries have expressed their wish to join the trade pact. The US hopes that the agreement will be ratified by the involved parties as scheduled. President Obama and Lao President Choummaly Sayasone delivered keynote speeches after the opening ceremony which was followed by discussions between ASEAN and US leaders.
The second working day will focus on sea-related issues, with a stress on navigation freedom and security in the East Sea. US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said President Obama will deliver a message that disputes must be settled in a peaceful manner and in line with international standards. Terrorism and trans-national challenges are also on the agenda.
The ASEAN-US Summit is of special significance as it is the first summit between the bloc and a partner country after the official formation of the ASEAN Community on December 31, 2015. This is also the first time the ASEAN-US summit has been held in the US, which demonstrates the importance that both sides attach to their strategic partnership.