On the morning of May 11, continuing the working program of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of other countries attended a closed session to discuss international and regional issues.
Accordingly, the international and regional developments are becoming increasingly complex, strongly impacting the security and development environment, posing many issues for ASEAN to deal with. ASEAN leaders believe that, more than ever, ASEAN's solidarity, self-reliance and strategic autonomy need to be maintained and promoted in the current context. This is a prerequisite to ensure the success, role, prestige and position of ASEAN.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the President of Indonesia attended the closed-door discussion this morning. Photo: ASEAN 2023
The leaders agreed to effectively and substantially implement the cooperation framework both within the bloc and with partners, share experiences and support capacity building for ASEAN in responding to challenges.
Discussing ASEAN's foreign relations, the countries welcomed new developments and agreed to organize high-level activities between ASEAN and a number of partners to bring cooperation deeper and more practical.
The leaders also agreed to strengthen ASEAN’s solidarity and centrality through promoting cooperation and dialogue, and enhancing the effectiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms. The countries encouraged partners to participate in building and contributing responsibly to regional cooperation, supporting ASEAN in building the community, and jointly addressing common challenges.
Prime Minister at a closed session. Photo: Nhat Bac
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared that after more than half a century of formation and development, ASEAN has never been in such a good position or faced as many challenges as it is today. ASEAN is both the focus of a series of regional connectivity and association initiatives and also the focus of fierce strategic competition among major countries.
In that context, the Prime Minister emphasized the requirement for ASEAN to adapt dynamically and strengthen itself to affirm its strategic value. ASEAN needs to strengthen solidarity and unity, uphold the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and self-reliance, strongly promote its central role, maintain strategic balance in relations with partners, create and promote a culture of dialogue, cooperation, consultation, and trust building.
ASEAN needs to maintain its principled stance on issues directly related to the security and development environment stated in its fundamental documents, especially raising high the flag of respect for international law...
ASEAN needs to strengthen solidarity and unity, uphold the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and promote its central role. Photo: ASEAN 2023
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the most important thing is that ASEAN member countries need to unite, promote a sense of responsibility and collective spirit for common goals, and harmonize national interests with the interests of the association.
The Prime Minister emphasized that protecting peace , stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea is both the benefit and responsibility of all countries.
The Prime Minister suggested that ASEAN, despite difficulties, should be steadfast in its goal of supporting Myanmar to fully implement the “Five-Point Consensus” for the people of Myanmar, for the solidarity, prestige and image of ASEAN, and for the expectations of the international community. Vietnam supports the Indonesian Chair and Special Envoy to promote their pioneering role and lead ASEAN to realize the above goal.
ASEAN needs to maintain an objective, balanced, and responsible approach to the Russia-Ukraine issue, coordinate with partners, and minimize the impact of the conflict on the region.
Vietnam is ready to support Timor-Leste to soon become the 11th member of ASEAN.
Also this morning, meeting with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming an observer of ASEAN, and Vietnam is ready to share experiences and support Timor-Leste to soon become the 11th member of the ASEAN family.
The two sides acknowledged that there is still much potential for cooperation, especially in trade and investment, and agreed to create favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to do business and operate effectively in each other's markets. The two Prime Ministers also agreed to promote cooperation in culture, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchange to increase connectivity; expand to new areas such as digital transformation, green growth, and circular economy, etc.
Prime Minister Taur Matan invited Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to visit Timor-Leste. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also invited the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste to visit Vietnam at a convenient time. Photo: Nhat Bac
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked Timor-Leste to facilitate Vietnamese businesses doing business in Timor-Leste by resolving legal issues; promptly ratifying the Bilateral Trade Agreement signed in 2013; and effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Rice Trade signed in 2015.
The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste affirmed that Vietnam is a great friend, respects and wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam; and announced that President Jose Ramos-Horta wishes to visit Vietnam soon.
This morning's session concluded the activities of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation left Labuan Bajo to return home.
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