Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the 20th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 2 (Photo: VNA)

The event formed part of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-52) and Related Meetings that are underway in Bangkok until Saturday. In his remarks at the meeting, Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh said he welcomed efforts to expand cooperation within ASEAN Plus Three in innovation-driven development areas, such as digital connectivity, e-commerce, and smart city innovation, in order to reduce the development gap. He also applauded the close partnership within the bloc in promoting the development of the MSMEs, ensuring food security, and improving response to epidemics and natural disasters. Mr. Minh affirmed that Vietnam will play an active part in fostering and promoting the role of ASEAN Plus Three to contribute to peace, stability and development in East Asia.