Because of 'long-distance' aspirations

International Press Center at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Laos, July 23. (Source: Kyodo News)

In just two weeks, ASEAN will turn 57 years old, ripe enough to cherish long-term aspirations. The spirit of AMM 57 as well as the entire ASEAN 2024 journey - "Promoting connectivity and self-reliance" speaks for itself.

Deputy Foreign Minister, Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam Do Hung Viet led the Vietnamese delegation to attend this AMM 57 session, bringing with him the message of the Senior Leaders, that ASEAN is the top priority and chooses the strategy. Vietnam's strategy. From the heart, Vietnam always wants a united and strong ASEAN, always wondering how to contribute more to the development of the "common home". At the same time, Vietnam is ready to support and support the Chairmanship of Laos, contributing to the overall success of AMM 57 as well as the entire ASEAN year 2024.

Continuing the momentum of nine priorities

With the theme of "promoting connectivity and self-reliance", right from the beginning of its term, the Lao Presidency has identified nine priorities, of which four are on strengthening ASEAN connectivity and five are on self-reliance. ASEAN.

Four priorities for enhancing connectivity include: economic integration and connection, building a comprehensive and sustainable future, digital transformation, culture and arts; The five priorities for self-reliance include: building a strategy to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, maintaining the central role of ASEAN, promoting cooperation on the environment, women - children and health.

Over the past time, with the efforts and enthusiasm of the President of Laos, the focuses and priorities identified at the beginning of the year have been gradually realized in all cooperation channels. Laos has been working with member countries to promote cooperation in all three pillars of the Community; determined that only through cohesion and increased cooperation between ASEAN members and partner countries, dialogue can effectively solve current and emerging challenges...

The connotations of "connectivity" and "self-reliance" continue to be revealed and are one of the important highlights of this AMM 57 session, bringing the spirit of a connected and self-reliant ASEAN to a high level.

Share with TG&VN, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Director of ASEAN Department (Foreign Office) believes that in the first decades of its existence, previous generations soon shaped a strategic vision of a cohesive, dynamically developing ASEAN, the nucleus of peace, stability and cooperation in the region. This vision has reflected the common spirit of ASEAN's connectivity and self-reliance. However, "connectivity" and "self-reliance" today have new nuances.

“Connection” is a closer connection between economies, connection in the digital era and connection through arts and culture. “Self-reliance” is self-reliance in health, environment and climate to meet current concerns, and to be resilient in the face of current and future opportunities and challenges...

For the first time in history, ASEAN considers the "long haul" with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, expressing greater, further aspirations and new vitality of the Community in the next 20 years. Therefore, the process of building a strategy to organize the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 is extremely important, initiated in the ASEAN year 2023 and continued to be strongly promoted in the ASEAN year 2024. AMM 57 This time is an important opportunity for ASEAN to "accelerate" this aspect in the context that ASEAN is about to complete the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet and delegates at the SEANWFZ Executive Board meeting, July 23. (Source: VNA)

“Self-reliant” in a broad sense

The central role over the years has been considered an indicator of ASEAN’s positioning. Therefore, in any circumstances, ASEAN needs to be more united so that the Indian Ocean region – Thai Binh Duong continued to maintain peace, cooperation and development, in which dialogue and negotiations in the spirit of “win-win” must be promoted. Relevant conferences within the framework of AMM 57 once again reinforced that spirit.

According to Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, the AMM 57 Conference takes a broader approach to the concept of "self-reliance". In a constantly changing world, how to help ASEAN improve its self-reliance and strategic autonomy is the top priority today.

Therefore, issues such as the East Sea, Myanmar or the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, non-traditional challenges such as climate change, cyber security, energy security, food security reality, continues to be placed on the agenda of ASEAN Ministers and between ASEAN and its partners.

Obviously, in the face of regional and international issues that affect not just one country, there will likely be concerns, differences, exchanges, and debates, but the core thing is that ASEAN continues to affirming its bravery, strengthening its stance on principles of balance, objectivity as well as its central role, being respected and supported by partners, working together and cooperating for peace, security and stability. stability and sustainable development, something that many officials and scholars affirm that ASEAN has done well in recent times.

Under the authorization of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, Head of Vietnam's ASEAN SOM, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the meeting.

Source of encouragement to the President

Throughout nearly three decades of participating in ASEAN, Vietnam has always wanted the best and most complete things for ASEAN, and at the same time tried its best to contribute to the common development of the Association. The successful organization of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 initiative by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in April is a clear demonstration of that determination.

With this AMM 57, Vietnam proactively participated in preparations from the first days and attended the Conferences with the highest sense of responsibility. The responsibility on the shoulders of the Vietnamese delegation is to reconcile differences and harmonize interests, emphasizing that solidarity is the "strong root" for ASEAN's development; contributing to the successful implementation of the connectivity agenda; continue to work with other countries to shape a resilient, dynamic, creative and people-centered ASEAN future as set out in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

In particular, Vietnam's enthusiasm for the ASEAN 2024 agenda in general and AMM 57 in particular is also a source of encouragement for the President of Laos - a "brother" with a tradition of sharing sweets and tastes. "A grain of rice is cut in half, a vegetable stem is broken in half".

Vietnam's support and assistance to Laos in successfully assuming the responsibility of ASEAN Chair 2024 was strongly affirmed during the visit to Laos by the President. To Lam two weeks ago. Vietnam has provided timely and practical support. Accordingly, the Party, State and people of Vietnam presented the Party, State and people of Laos with 1 million USD and 20 Vinfast electric cars; Police Vietnam presents the Lao Ministry of Public Security with 20 cars and 30 motorcycles…

Immediately after receiving the rotating Chairman's hammer from the 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship, Laos has carefully planned for the third time taking on this important responsibility. Current topics and detailed roadmaps not only show Laos' sense of responsibility and initiative in the common work of the Association but also reflect the desire to realize the strategies of the Party and Government of Laos in transforming This country has transformed from a landlocked country into a regionally connected country. Not only carefully preparing for AMM 57, Laos is also actively looking forward to the 44-45 ASEAN Summit...

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The AMM 57 Conference opened just a few days after Vietnam experienced a huge loss. In the first activity of the Conference, countries spent a minute of silence commemorating General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Senior leaders of ASEAN countries issued a Joint Statement, sending condolences to the family and relatives of the General Secretary, the Government and People of Vietnam...

The Vietnamese delegation coming to AMM 57 this time brings with them the General Secretary's thoughts on foreign relations with our Lao brothers in particular and with ASEAN in general. The General Secretary's school of diplomacy bearing the identity of "Vietnamese bamboo" is always the guiding principle in every foreign activity.