Foreign ministers applaud ASEAN’s relations with partners

Foreign ministers of ASEAN countries held meetings with their counterparts from the bloc’s partners, including the Republic of Korea (RoK), Canada, Australia, the US, and the European Union (EU), in Singapore on August 3.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh led the Vietnamese delegation to these meetings, where the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s partners reaffirmed that they attach importance to the relationship with the grouping, support its central role in the region, and will actively take part in ASEAN-chaired forums.

At the meeting with the RoK, the ASEAN countries welcomed initiatives within the framework of the RoK’s “New Southern Policy”, which aims to enhance cooperation with the bloc on the three pillars of peace, prosperity and humans.

The foreign ministers agreed to continue efforts to facilitate trade and investment and connect businesses and the private sector of the two sides. They noted bilateral trade has doubled over the last decade since the ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement took effect in 2007, adding that they are working to boost the figure to US$200 billion by 2020.

At the meeting, Cambodia – coordinator of ASEAN-RoK relations – officially handed over this role in the 2018-2021 period to Brunei.

Meeting with the Canadian foreign minister, the ASEAN hailed the country’s active support for ASEAN-led mechanisms and stronger cooperation in prioritized fields on the basis of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action for 2016-2020, particularly in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and trans-national crimes, trade-investment, connectivity, science, technology, innovation, environment, response to climate change, education, and tourism.

At this event, the Philippines – coordinator for ASEAN-Canada relations – transferred the role in 2018-2021 to Myanmar.

In another meeting, the ASEAN and the EU recognised the positive outcomes of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action for 2018-2022, which was approved in August 2017. They emphasised their commitment to promoting a rule-based international order. 

The two sides also encouraged each other to enhance cooperation in such fields as trade, including the possibility of resuming negotiations on an ASEAN-EU free trade agreement, and a deal on air transport.

The ASEAN foreign ministers highly valued the EU’s assistance for the former to bolster regional connectivity and narrow development gap.

On this occasion, Thailand handed over the role of coordinator for ASEAN-EU relations in 2018-2021 to Singapore.

At the meeting between the ASEAN and Australia, the participating officials noted strides in the implementation of the ASEAN-Australia Plan of Action in 2015-2019. They agreed to step up partnerships in prioritised areas such as fighting terrorism and violent extremism, cyber security, border management and combating human trafficking, marine security, defence, economy, adaptation to climate change and disaster management.

The ministers pledged to maintain a free and open regional and international trade system. They also discussed measures to foster trade and investment ties through the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, adding that they hope to soon finalise negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

At the end of the meeting, Myanmar handed over the role of coordinator for ASEAN-Australia relations to Malaysia.

Meeting with the US Secretary of State, the ASEAN ministers stressed that the balanced and mutually beneficial economic ties between the ASEAN and the US have been bringing enormous benefits to both sides.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US highly values the ASEAN’s role in ensuring peace and stability in the region, and the country puts the bloc at the centre between the Indian Ocean and Pacific regions in its strategy.

The two sides agreed to continue promoting ties in trade, connectivity, marine cooperation and response to trans-national challenges such as terrorism and violent extremism.

The ASEAN welcomed the initiatives regarding security, sustainable development, good governance, education, young people, and start-up, among others.

Concluding the event, Laos officially took over the role of coordinating ASEAN-US relations in 2018-2021 from Malaysia.

Addressing these meetings, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh re-affirmed that the RoK, Canada, Australia, the US and the EU are important partners of the ASEAN. 

He applauded the partners’ active coordination with the ASEAN to enhance dialogue and cooperation for peace, stability and development in the region.

Minh underlined Vietnam’s support for the proposed prioritised fields of cooperation and expressed the wish to join other countries in continuing to build and realise many concrete initiatives.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.