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| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the strong and substantive development of the partnership over the past half century. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
The Conferences highly appreciated the effective implementation of the cooperation framework between ASEAN and its partners, especially in the fields of trade, investment, sustainable development, smart agriculture , energy, education, tourism, innovation, and digital transformation.
The partners continued to affirm their respect for ASEAN's central role, committed to supporting ASEAN in implementing ASEAN 2045 strategic documents and promoting regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and the ASEAN Power Grid.
At the ASEAN-China Summit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed that ASEAN is a priority in China's neighborhood policy, pledging to work with ASEAN to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous regional community, promote equitable multilateralism, inclusive regional order and fair economic globalization, and effectively respond to emerging challenges.
The countries noted that the economy continues to be a central pillar in the bilateral relationship. ASEAN and China will remain each other's top trading partners since 2020, with total two-way trade reaching over US$770 billion in 2024.
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| At the ASEAN-China Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed that ASEAN is a priority in China's neighborhood policy. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
The conference welcomed the completion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 and aims to sign it by the end of this year, opening up potential for cooperation in many areas such as digital economy, green economy, supply chain connectivity, support for small and medium enterprises, etc.
ASEAN highly appreciated the proposal to establish cooperation centers on clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital academies, the Public Administration Governance Network, the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Program, etc. The Ministers acknowledged the progress in the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) with the completion of the third reading and the start of discussions on specific negotiation milestones.
At the ASEAN-Australia Conference, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong affirmed to continue to cooperate closely with ASEAN to promote economic integration, sustainable development and regional stability, through enhancing economic and trade connectivity, supporting development and promoting common values on regional rules and cooperation.
The conference noted that trade and investment cooperation has been given new growth momentum with the official entry into force of the Second Protocol amending the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA).
Australia continues to promote the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 with a 2 billion AUD investment support package, commits 140 million AUD over 4 years to the Partnership for Infrastructure (P4I) program, establishes an ASEAN-Australia innovative startup network, including announcing a facility in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024, and deploys a 46 million AUD support package to 2028 for the implementation of the AANZFTA and RCEP.
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| The conference welcomed the completion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 and aims to sign it by the end of this year. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
ASEAN highly appreciated Australia’s scholarship programs, digital skills training, and support for health, education, disaster response, environment, and inclusive development. At the end of the meeting, the Ministers adopted the ASEAN-Australia Joint Future Declaration, which is closely aligned with the strategic goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
At the ASEAN-Canada Conference, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand affirmed that relations with ASEAN member countries are central to the strategy of promoting regional economic and security cooperation based on common values, committed to strengthening multilateralism, diversifying trade relations and building sustainable supply chains with ASEAN.
The Ministers agreed to continue to effectively implement the Action Plan 2021-2025 and soon approve the next plan for the period 2026-2030. The countries emphasized accelerating negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA), striving to complete it in 2025, creating a solid foundation for market opening, trade and investment facilitation, and business diversification.
ASEAN appreciated Canada's continued implementation of the Trade and Investment Development Support Fund worth CAD 11.6 million, its commitment of CAD 8.5 million for the five-year implementation of the Regional Program to Advance the Women, Peace, Security Agenda, and its additional contribution of over CAD 10 million to the ASEAN-Canada Trust Fund.
ASEAN countries welcomed progress in cooperation with Canada through scholarship programs, health assistance, women and children's rights, migrant workers and disaster management.
At the ASEAN-India Conference, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita affirmed that ASEAN is the foundation of the Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific strategy, committed to strengthening cooperation on all political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars, and consolidating the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to become increasingly deeper and more substantive.
The meeting welcomed the completion of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2021-2025) one year ahead of schedule and the adoption of a new Plan of Action (2026-2030). ASEAN welcomed the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), which opens up opportunities to promote balanced trade flows; and stressed the need to continue promoting business and start-up development, especially micro, small and medium enterprises.
On connectivity, ASEAN looks forward to the completion and operationalisation of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Corridor, as well as its extension to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. ASEAN countries appreciated India’s contribution of US$5 million towards the implementation of the ASEAN-India Tourism Action Plan 2023-2027.
The countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of digital economy, cyber security, renewable energy, health, food security, education and people-to-people exchange; and acknowledged the positive progress in implementing the ASEAN-India Digital Future Fund, with the goal of training a high-quality workforce and supporting ASEAN in its inclusive digital transformation.
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| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son and New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters co-chaired the ASEAN-New Zealand Conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Co-chairing the ASEAN-New Zealand Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters assessed the ASEAN-New Zealand relationship as one of the strong, long-term partnerships and a typical model of trust, understanding, and cooperation for development.
Speaking on behalf of ASEAN countries, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister highly appreciated the strong and substantive development of the partnership over the past half century, towards establishing the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of relations this year.
ASEAN highly appreciated New Zealand's support in the areas of cyber security, maritime security, disaster relief and transnational crime prevention. ASEAN welcomed the official entry into force of the Protocol amending the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA Agreement, expecting New Zealand to continue to support narrowing the development gap, supporting inclusive and sustainable growth, especially in sub-regions such as the Mekong, promoting aviation connectivity and digital trade.
In particular, ASEAN highly appreciated New Zealand's commitment to contribute more than NZD 329 million to regional programmes on climate, renewable energy, smart agriculture and disaster response.
Speaking at the Conferences, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized the strategic significance of continuing to strengthen and deepen the partnership between ASEAN and other countries, especially in the context of the rapidly changing, complex and unpredictable international and regional situation.
Vietnam appreciates the commitment of partners to support ASEAN's central role, actively participate in ASEAN-led mechanisms, and support the process of building the ASEAN Community.
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| The ASEAN-New Zealand relationship is one of the strongest, most enduring partnerships and a model of trust, understanding, and cooperation for mutual development. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Regarding economic cooperation, Vietnam welcomes efforts to upgrade, amend and review free trade agreements between ASEAN and its partners, such as ACFTA 3.0, the revised AANZFTA, AITIGA and the ASEAN-Canada FTA, to promote fair, inclusive trade and adapt to the new global economic context. Vietnam proposes to continue supporting micro, small and medium enterprises to promote digital trade, green growth, supply chain connectivity and sub-regional development.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister also proposed strengthening cooperation in responding to non-traditional challenges such as climate change, food security, energy security, natural disasters and epidemics; at the same time, continuing to promote regional cooperation initiatives in the fields of education and people-to-people exchange.
Faced with profound and unpredictable movements in the geostrategic environment, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing dialogue, consultation and building trust, and asked partners to continue supporting ASEAN's principled stance on international and regional issues, including the East Sea, and join hands to build the East Sea into a sea of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.
On the afternoon of July 10, according to the program, the ASEAN+1 Ministerial Conferences with Japan, Russia, South Korea, the United States and the ASEAN+3 Conference (with Japan, China, South Korea) will continue to take place.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-dong-chu-tri-hoi-nghi-bo-truong-ngoai-giao-asean-new-zealand-320517.html
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