(VOVworld) - Vietnam was an active attendee at the recently concluded ASEAN-US Summit in California, significantly contributing to the success of the event.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung made the statement during an interview with the press on the outcomes of the Vietnamese delegation at the summit.

Trung said the gathering of ASEAN and US leaders to exchange regional opportunities and challenges, and cross-border issues such as terrorism, trans-national crime, and climate change adaptation demonstrated the crucial role of ASEAN as a reliable partner, a leading organisation in the region, and a competitive, attractive economic community with a GDP of 2.5 trillion USD and population of 625 million.

The summit illustrated the US’ attaching special importance to the position and central role of ASEAN in the region hoping to propel bilateral relations in a practical manner for mutual benefit.

A working session of the ASEAN-US Summit

Trung reviewed outstanding outcomes of the summit including the issuance of the Sunnylands Declaration which states 17 key principles guiding their strategic partnership.
Trung said the Vietnamese delegation made great contributions to the success of the ASEAN-US summit.  Vietnam participated in all discussions and the mapping out of the Sunnylands Declaration.

Vietnam expressed its concern about recent complications in the East Sea and the increase of non-traditional challenges in the region including terrorism, trans-national crimes, and climate change. Vietnam stressed the need to build strategic trust, increase dialogues, cooperation to peacefully address disputes, bring into play multilateral mechanisms, especially ASEAN’s role.
Trung said Vietnam supported the promotion of the ASEAN-US cooperation and suggested the establishment of an ASEAN-US Centre of Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Development Support.