(VOVWORLD) -Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday suggested that more than ever, ASEAN take self-reliance as the foundation to reach out, take connection as the focus to break through, and take innovation as the driving force to galvanize.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and heads of delegations attend the plenary session of the 44th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
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In his keynote speech at the plenary session of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits which opened in Vientiane on Wednesday, the Vietnamese PM called on ASEAN to develop with new mindset, new vision, new motivation and new mentality.
PM Chinh said he believes that Timor Leste's early membership will add strength and self-reliance to ASEAN and the region. He underlined that ASEAN needs to maintain its centrality, independence, balance and principled behavior in implementing foreign relations, expanding and diversifying relations with partners on the basis of effectiveness, practicality and mutual benefits.
Wising to contribute more to regional cooperation, the Prime Minister announced that Vietnam will continue to organize the ASEAN Future Forum in 2025 and expects that countries will continue to pay attention to and support Vietnam in successfully hosting the event.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the retreat session of the 45th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
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On the same day, at a retreat session discussing global and regional issues of shared concern, Prime Minister Chinh said conflicts and wars continue to affect all countries in the world, disrupting supply chains and production chains, increasing raw material, energy and transportation costs.
The Prime Minister suggested that ASEAN unite and amplify its voice calling for an end to wars and conflicts and finding solutions to peace on the basis of respect for international law.
On the East Sea issue, the Prime Minister emphasized that sovereignty disputes over islands in the East Sea must be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of international law and requested all parties to respect the interests and sovereign rights of relevant countries.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister affirmed that the solution for Myanmar must be decided by the Myanmar people and called on relevant parties in Myanmar to talk and negotiate to end the conflict. ASEAN needs to promote its role as a bridge to enable parties to hold dialogue and negotiation, he said.