Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (fifth from left) and ASEAN Foreign Ministers at AMM 51 meetings in Singapore on August 02, 2018. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

 At separate meetings, participants reviewed cooperation activities over the year and discussed development orientations for the future.

The 4 participating countries voiced their support in ASEAN’s efforts to build the bloc, increase its connectivity, narrow the development gap and its priorities for this year. They agreed on the need to expand cooperation into new areas such as innovation, e-commerce, and the digital economy.

Deputy Prime Minister Minh reiterated that Vietnam will proactively work with other ASEAN countries to deepen the multifaceted cooperation for mutual benefit.

Vietnam will participate in outlining proposals and specific cooperative activities which have been specified by ASEAN and the 4 counterpart nations, especially in maritime cooperation, regional connectivity, and sub-regional development.

Mr. Minh underlined the need for ASEAN and the 4 countries to boost dialogue, build trust, as well as set up standards of behavior to prevent conflicts and maintain regional peace, security and stability.