Could the Deputy Minister tell us about the highlights of AMM-54?

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung: The AMM-54 takes place at a special time when ASEAN is facing multiple challenges, stemming from the new COVID-19 outbreaks and the virus’ new variants; the increasingly intense strategic rivalry between major powers; as well as the complicated developments in the East Sea and in Myanmar.

In the midst of this situation, the awareness of ASEAN’s values is further strengthened. The more difficult the circumstances become, the higher the determination of ASEAN countries are. Countries in the region have shown their support, commitment and respect for the role of ASEAN. This is the Meeting’s highlight, and I consider this to be a very positive outcome.

With regard to Myanmar issue, the participants to the meeting came up with determination to implement the Five-Point Consensus agreed upon by ASEAN leaders. The meeting has reached a (difficult) consensus on appointing Brunei’s Second Foreign Minister as ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy to Myanmar.

The meeting also decided that humanitarian aid for Myanmar shall be deployed, through the AHA Center (the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management), with ASEAN’s Secretary General as the Coordinator.

Concerning COVID-19, ASEAN has reaffirmed plans for cooperation. Many of ASEAN’s partners expressed their commitments to support the Member States in overcoming the pandemic, with more vaccines expected to come, and in implementing the bloc’s economic recovery plans being implemented.

Regarding external relations, ASEAN has also reached an important milestone as the Member States have agreed upon granting the United Kingdom the ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner status.

At the meeting, what were the initiatives Viet Nam put forward in order to promote the spirit of solidarity and consensus in handling ASEAN’s challenges?

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung: Viet Nam participated in this meeting after it completed the role as the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, having laid out many results, proposals and initiatives. 

With that mindset, Viet Nam continues to play its role in accelerating the deployment of the initiatives that it proposed in 2020. Viet Nam was able to maintain its matters of interests in the ASEAN’s agenda, including the issue of linking sub-regional cooperation with ASEAN cooperation programs.

Viet Nam has also played a very active role in resolving problems, difficulties and deadlocks that stemmed from differences in views and opinions during the meeting. And it was precisely Viet Nam who has made many proposals, calling upon countries to come to an agreement on Myanmar, on the special envoy to Myanmar, as well as to reach a consensus in order for the United Kingdom to become ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner.

Aside from that, Viet Nam has also urged ASEAN’s partners to strengthen their cooperation and commitments with the region, to continue supporting ASEAN Member States in terms of getting access to vaccine supply sources and fostering transfer of vaccine production technology to the region.

In spite of the difficulties posed by the pandemic, what is the progress that ASEAN has made in its efforts to lay the foundation for, and implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025?

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung: COVID-19 is a huge challenge that absorbs the attention of countries involved in the fight against the pandemic. Nevertheless, task of building the Community is still progressing. We are glad that the master plans to build the Community until 2025 have been rolled out across all of the Community’s pillars. Regarding the political-security pillar, the completion rate is 96%. For the economic pillar, the rate of completion is 88%, and for the socio-cultural pillar, the figure is 72%. Those are very encouraging results.

With regards to plans that have been drawn up, such as the implementation of the ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision, ASEAN has outlined a roadmap and formulated a High-level Specialized Group to handle this task, while also continuing the task of reviewing the implementation of ASEAN’s Charter.

It could be said that attention is paid to the fulfillment of all laid out tasks in this year.

Could the Deputy Minister tell us about what Viet Nam has achieved through the meeting with regards to ASEAN’s external relations?

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung: Concerning external relations: Firstly, as mentioned above, ASEAN’s partners participate in the meeting with a very supportive mindset; with a clear acknowledgement of ASEAN’s values and roles; and with respect for ASEAN’s opinions.

The dialogue partners wish to link their strategies and policies with regional cooperation, and with the ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo–Pacific (AOIP).

A notable point is the fact that partners all made very strong commitments to support ASEAN in the fight against COVID-19, and in the post-pandemic recovery period through very specific actions. Some countries offer vaccine donations, while others offer to provide vaccine storage equipment. Some countries assisted the training of healthcare staffs, and some provided financial assistance, contributing to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund so that more vaccines can be purchased.

Another outcome of the meeting is that the UK has become ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner.

It could therefore be said that through these meetings, ASEAN’s external relations have been solidified and strengthened to a large degree.

A topic of great concern at the moment is vaccines. Currently, what are the approaches of ASEAN countries when it comes to the utilization of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund?

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung: The COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund was established last year (2020), and up until now the total value of contributions to the fund – both from the Member States and ASEAN’s partners has reached US$20.5 million.

ASEAN has decided to use US$10.5 million to purchase vaccines for Member States through cooperation with UNICEF. At the moment, the agreement between ASEAN and UNICEF is being finalized. We hope that it will soon be completed and the money could then be used to purchase vaccines for ASEAN countries through UNICEF.

With regards to post-pandemic recovery, what are the matters that ASEAN reached consensus on through this meeting?

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung: Firstly, ASEAN is determined to prevent the supply chains from being disruptive; transactions and trade between less affected countries are to be maintained; conditions for the continued commercial and investment activities of enterprises must be kept as favorable as possible.

Most notably, ASEAN shall promote cooperation for digital transformation. ASEAN Ministers responsible for digital cooperation have approved the ASEAN Plan for Digital Transformation until 2025. This progress is remarkable, and the member states shall step up the deployment of e-commerce within ASEAN.

At the same time, ASEAN is determined to utilize and promote the signed Agreements on trade liberalization, in addition to a common goal which is agreed upon – which is to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as soon as possible.

Security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea is a topic of great concern for ASEAN and its partners. This issue was the focus of many discussion sessions. Could the Deputy Minister please tell us, on which points have ASEAN and its Partners reached consensus on?

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung: The situation in the East Sea has certain complications. In that situation, ASEAN still maintain its consistent stance.

Our stance is to support and emphasize peace, stability, freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, in addition to building trust. Countries must refrain from taking actions that escalate tensions, or actions to reclaim/militarize islands, or activities that infringe upon the legitimate interests of coastal states.

Countries strongly agreed to uphold the role of international law, placing special emphasis on UNCLOS as the framework to regulate the activities of countries at sea and on the ocean.

More importantly, countries have agreed that the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) must be substantive, comprehensive and consistent with international law, especially the UNCLOS. A new development is that China has now openly agreed with ASEAN’s viewpoints. This shall help the negotiation process for the COC in the time ahead.

Thank you very much Mr. Deputy Minister!

Translated by Quy An