VGP – Viet Nam always regards ASEAN as one of the crucial pillars in its diplomatic policy, affirmed PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at his reception for ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi in Ha Noi on August 27.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) recevies ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi,
Ha Noi, August 27, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu 

 Welcoming Lim Jock Hoi and officials of the ASEAN Secretariat to Viet Nam, Phuc spoke highly of efforts and contributions of the ASEAN Secretary-General to ASEAN. 

ASEAN is entering an important development period and launching the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 amid the complex developments in the world, arising trans-national issues and strong development in science and technology, said the PM, suggesting ASEAN make efforts to effectively respond to opportunities and challenges. 

The Vietnamese leader shared viewpoints of ASEAN leaders at the 34th ASEAN Summit, supposing that ASEAN needs to uphold its intermediary role in harmonizing and balancing the relations with partners, especially big nations. 

ASEAN should pay more attention to boosting internal trade and investment, improving the capacity of ASEAN and limiting impacts of trade conflicts, he proposed, referring to arising issues such as the Industry 4.0, environmental protection, changing population structure, natural calamity and climate change. 

Viet Nam attaches importance to its upcoming tasks as ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, heading to priorities to strengthening solidarity and connectivity within ASEAN, upgrading adaption capacity of ASEAN and improving the operational effectiveness of the bloc, said Phuc.

The PM proposed ASEAN continue raising its voice and viewpoint of supporting the maintenance of peace, stability, prosperous development, ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea in the spirit of upholding the rule of international laws. 

Lim Jock Hoi expressed his hope that Viet Nam will successfully take over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, adding that ASEAN needs to enhance internal solidarity and boost trade exchanges and the bloc should be determined to fulfill conclusion of talks on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at the end of this year and officially sign the agreement next year. 

He consented with the PM’s proposal on climate change, suggesting ASEAN closely join hands with Viet Nam in this issue as well as other issues such as innovation and capacity enhancement in new era. 

He said he will make his utmost to maintain solidarity within ASEAN, asserting that the ASEAN Secretariat will take measures to ensure related sides to address disputes on seas through peaceful measures, complying with international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, respecting diplomatic and legal procedures and fully and strictly realizing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).