Full text of the speech by PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng

Many guest speakers at the session agreed that, to build up the East Asia Community, it is essential to strengthen regional cooperation and linkages, especially in economic terms.

Another important area of cooperation is the improvement of infrastructure connectivity among regional economies. Recognizing its central role in East Asia in several decade, ASEAN is now developing a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity to connect road, rail, sea and air routes, telecom and software infrastructure within the bloc and beyond to East Asia.

As Chair of ASEAN in 2010, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng suggested five priorities to step up macro-policy coordination, promote sustainable growth in the region, and maintain the economic dynamism of Asia .

First of all, according to the Vietnamese Government chief, it is necessary to enhance financial and monetary cooperation, soon implement the agreement on the Chiang Mai Initiative Multi-lateralization, and improve the resilience of banking systems in the region. “It is essential for East Asian countries to make active and practical contributions to the reforms of international financial and monetary institutions and global governing bodies, including the G-20,” said PM Dũng.

Second, it is important to push cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and investment, increase the proportion of intra-regional trade and investment, and meet the schedules of free trade areas between ASEAN and its partners.

Third, to improve the infrastructure connectivity in order to facilitate trade and investment as well as people-to-people exchanges, suggested PM Dũng.

Fourth, it is essential to enhance cooperation in response to global challenges like climate change, food and energy security, environmental degradation, natural disasters and diseases. “I would propose an East Asian Forum on Climate Change where we can work closely to develop joint regional actions. The forum might evolve into a global framework to address this huge challenge of mankind,” stated the PM, adding that Việt Nam is willing to host the first meeting of such forum in 2010.

Finally, the cooperation in culture, tourism, education and the academic and people-to-people exchange should be further promoted to create and nurture the mutual understanding and trust, and improve awareness of the whole community and regional identity. He urged Japan , China and Korea , the three pillars of East Asia , to set up an East Asian Fund for Education and Cultural Exchange.

Also on January 30, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng hosted a reception given to Director-General of Unilever Group.

By Hồng Hạnh