With the success of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020, Vietnam is not only an active ASEAN member but also a strong, trustworthy and special mainstay, especially at a time when ASEAN has to face challenges like COVID-19 pandemic at present, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the conference. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing a conference of the ASEAN National Committee 2020 in Hanoi on December 11, PM Phuc said on the back of strong will, determination and actions of the ASEAN Community, effective cooperation with partners and helm of Vietnam, the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 has been a complete and substantial success with a record number of adopted documents and Vietnam’s initiatives and priorities becoming a common asset of the bloc.

He highlighted success in ensuring security and safety and receptions held in high esteem, as well as popularising the images of peaceful and stable ASEAN Community and Vietnam to international friends.

The PM also expressed his pride in the success of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) and the eighth meeting of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ).

With all adopted regional strategies, he said they are a hallmark of the success of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020, adding that it could be affirmed that its theme “Cohesive and Responsive” suits the circumstance, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reviewed progress in the building of ASEAN Community in the spirit of maintaining its central role. Under the direction of Vietnam, ASEAN actively and flexibly adapted to uncertainties. For the first time, the ASEAN Summit had been held thrice this year instead of twice.

According to him, ASEAN’s success has brought about invaluable lessons in terms of pooling collective power not only on regional but also global scale in response to common challenges of the humankind.

With achievements throughout 2020, Vietnam’s strong will, brainpower and stature have been shown clearly and fully, leaving a hallmark during over 50 years of ASEAN development, he said.

Throughout 25 years of entry to ASEAN, Vietnam has made important contributions to the grouping and become a crucial member building rules in ASEAN and the region.

Looking back on ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020, PM Phuc mentioned invaluable lessons, including unified directions of the Party and State leaders and their close watch on national external activities this year, tapping the collective power of the entire political system, social organisations and people to contribute to the success of the year, notably the effective collaboration between the Government and National Assembly organs in organising AIPA-41 and ASEAN 2020.

The third lesson is upholding Vietnam’s diplomatic identity: consistently pursuing goals while flexibly adopting strategies to turn risks into opportunities, together with sincerity and integrity for common benefits and responsibilities.

The fourth is active, proactive and thorough preparations in terms of agenda, reception, security and communications for the country’s major external activities.

The fifth is the importance of multilateral diplomacy and the role of ASEAN in Vietnam’s external guideline of smoothly combining bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, tapping the effectiveness of multilateral events to deepen bilateral ties, and pooling international resources for national development. 

The sixth lesson is the harmonious combination between internal and external relations. The success of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 was greatly attributed to Vietnam's achievements in performing the dual tasks of controlling the pandemic and recovering socio-economic development, supporting businesses and taking care of people's lives.

Emphasising the success of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020, the Prime Minister said that this is a comprehensive and complete success in all aspects, from content and reception work to security and health care. The information, communications, culture, and promotion were implemented methodically and effectively. In the entire 36th and 37th ASEAN Summits, there were not any major incidents or errors occurring on all fronts.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Government, PM Phuc praised all leaders, officers, soldiers, employees of ministries, departments, agencies from central to local levels, as well as businesses, sponsors, media agencies and people nationwide for their joint efforts to contribute to the overall success of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020.

In the coming time, in the context of complicated and unpredictable developments in the world and the region, and heavy foreign relation tasks, the Government leader agreed with the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue maintaining and promoting the success of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 in order to raise Vietnam's global position and boost its active international economic integration.

Vietnam should actively implement the priority tasks of ASEAN, especially the initiatives put forth by the country during the chairmanship year, he said, adding it will join hands with other ASEAN countries to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and promote overall and sustainable economic recovery, while taking advantage of favourable opportunities brought by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The PM said that the comprehensive and resounding success of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 is a new victory of the Party's multilateral foreign policy. “This provides new vitality for us to confidently and proactively make greater victories in the process of deep and effective international integration,” he concluded.