Vietnam promotes capacity to shape standards and lead thinking in ASEAN

In an interview with the press, Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai affirmed that the achievements Vietnam has made in 30 years of participating in ASEAN have far exceeded the initial expectations of the Association's members.

Plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 26. (Source: VNA)

As a diplomat with many connections to Vietnam, could you share your feelings on the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN?

First of all, let me extend my sincere congratulations to Vietnam on the occasion of its 30th anniversary of joining ASEAN.

I still remember clearly the year 1995, when Vietnam officially joined ASEAN. That was also the year I started working at the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Vietnam’s membership in ASEAN was a significant event and all of us at the Ministry were very happy to welcome Vietnam into the ASEAN family. At that time, we expected a fruitful and successful cooperative relationship with Vietnam.

Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

Looking back 30 years since Vietnam became an ASEAN member, I must affirm that the achievements have far exceeded initial expectations.

When Vietnam first joined the Association, the founding member states of ASEAN actively supported the integration process. This support included English language training programs for diplomats of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a number of other technical assistance.

At that time, ASEAN held more than 250 meetings per year. For any new member, fulfilling ASEAN’s obligations requires a relatively complex orientation and learning process. However, Vietnam has approached and adapted to ASEAN’s way of working very seriously and successfully.

Today, after three decades, Vietnam has become a very important and indispensable member of ASEAN.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the High-Level Dialogue at the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in Hanoi, February 2025. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

How does the Ambassador assess Vietnam’s recent initiatives within the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF)? What do these efforts demonstrate about Vietnam’s commitment and role in the development of the Association?

Vietnam's hosting of the AFF demonstrates Vietnam's forward-looking vision of a resilient and adaptive ASEAN in the face of emerging global challenges.

The AFF has created a valuable platform for the engagement of multiple stakeholders, including government leaders, academics, research institutes and youth voices, underscoring Vietnam’s inclusive approach to regional policymaking.

Notably, the Forum attracted high-level participation, including the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, ASEAN Secretary-General, along with messages from the UN Deputy Secretary-General and the President of the European Commission, demonstrating regional and international appreciation for Vietnam's leading role in ASEAN issues.

This demonstrates Vietnam’s capacity to shape standards and lead thinking in ASEAN, especially on key issues such as digital transformation, sustainable development and strategic autonomy.

The efforts reaffirm Vietnam's strong commitment to ASEAN's centrality and solidarity, especially in the context of geopolitical fluctuations and competition among major powers that require ASEAN to strengthen its internal cohesion and have a common strategic orientation.

Malaysia welcomes and appreciates Vietnam's initiatives, as they are aligned with our priorities as ASEAN Chair 2025, particularly in steering ASEAN to be future-ready.

In the current context, how does the Ambassador view Vietnam's role in promoting consensus and maintaining ASEAN's unified stance on regional and international issues, to ensure peace and stability for development?

Vietnam has always played a constructive and consistent role in promoting ASEAN solidarity and consensus, especially on sensitive issues such as the East Sea, the situation in Myanmar and competition between major powers in the region.

As the ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam has led the Association through the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnam has also played a key role in promoting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), thereby strengthening ASEAN’s central role in shaping the regional architecture.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and delegates congratulated the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's participation in ASEAN on July 28 in Hanoi. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam has always been steadfast in its stance of upholding international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and has actively participated in negotiations with China on the Code of Conduct (COC).

Vietnam’s active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) reflects its strong commitment to rules-based and inclusive regional security cooperation.

Malaysia acknowledges and appreciates Vietnam's role as a bridge and consensus builder, contributing to keeping ASEAN united in handling complex dynamics in the region.

How can Malaysia and Vietnam cooperate to effectively promote ASEAN's development agenda in the coming time and contribute to shaping ASEAN's strategic role in the changing global context, Ambassador?

Malaysia and Vietnam are developing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, based on shared values, regional aspirations and commitment to ASEAN principles.

The two countries share the vision of a resilient, united, people-centered ASEAN; and are committed to close cooperation to bring practical benefits to the people and the region.

Together, we can promote sustainable economic integration, especially in implementing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) agenda beyond 2025. Both countries can play a leading role in enhancing ASEAN’s energy transition agenda. Notably, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore are key partners in Project RISE, which supports the ASEAN Power Grid Initiative.

In the face of complex geopolitical fluctuations, Malaysia and Vietnam can play a role as countries promoting stability, jointly upholding ASEAN centrality and ensuring the region continues to be a neutral, rules-based and inclusive strategic space.

Finally, we can work together to ensure the success of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, with a focus on building a future-oriented and community-centered ASEAN.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-phat-huy-nang-luc-dinh-hinh-chuan-muc-va-dan-dat-tu-duy-trong-asean-323727.html