(VOVworld) – The ASEAN Department of the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday received the First Class Labor Order in recognition of its contributions to national construction and defense over the past 20 years.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh awards First Class Labor Order to the ASEAN Department (Photo: VGP/Hai Minh)

Established in 1994, the ASEAN department has made recommendations on government policies and strategies to participate in the bloc, ASEAN cooperation, and development orientations. The agency has effectively fulfilled its mission as the ASEAN Secretariat, in coordination, and support to ministries and sectors taking part in the organization’s activities. During the 2009-2013 period, it made great contributions to the success of Vietnam’s ASEAN presidency by putting forth two initiatives: to expand the East Asia Summit and successfully coordinate ASEAN-China relations.

Addressing the award ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed his hope that the department will make more practical contributions to the country’s development, especially against the context of ASEAN becoming a common community by 2015.