Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Thongphane Savanphet in an interview with Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

He made the comment during an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency following the teleconferenced 36th ASEAN Summit on Friday. For the rest of this year, the Deputy Minister said his country expects Vietnam will continue augmenting the cohesion and strength of ASEAN, especially in implementing different priorities that Vietnam has prepared, including promoting and protecting regional peace and stability, stepping up the ASEAN Community building, and bolstering the bloc’s relations with partners. Besides, boosting post-pandemic socio-economic recovery in the region is of critical importance as the spread of COVID-19 in many regional countries has slowed down, he noted, adding that this is an issue that Vietnam, as ASEAN Chair, should keep bringing into play its coordinating role in.

The impressive settlement of the COVID-19 pandemic and the relatively early re-opening of its economy have given Vietnam the ability to assist other countries, including ASEAN members, said Assistant Director (ASEAN) at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs Jessica Wau. She told the Vietnam News Agency on Friday that if it is not hit by a second wave of COVID-19, Vietnam will have favorable conditions to further enhance the strong cooperation within ASEAN in coping with the pandemic via meaningful dialogue and prioritization of immediate needs in the region.

In an interview with Vietnam News Agency, Dr Balaz Szanto of the International and Strategic Studies Faculty at the Webster University of Thailand underlined that Vietnam is an important member of ASEAN. The country’s leadership as Chair of ASEAN will influence major issues, including the settlement of territorial disputes at sea and others in the ASEAN agenda, he noted.