Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (Source: VNA)

(VOVworld) – Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung granted an interview to the Voice of Vietnam to comment on ASEAN membership.

He said Vietnam has originated many initiatives to boost cooperation within ASEAN, one of which was to help all 10 countries in Southeast Asia join the group. Vietnam also proposed an initiative to strengthen ASEAN connectivity and narrow the development gap between members.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, in the coming years “Vietnam’s priorities will be boosting economic cooperation, increasing awareness of the ASEAN Community and Vietnam’s strategic importance in ASEAN cooperation and ensuring peace and security in the region, particularly in the East Sea.”

Mr. Trung said regional peace and security is a pre-requisite for ASEAN’s development and Vietnam will do what it can to find a common voice within ASEAN given the challenges faced by the region.