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PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng at the 14 th ASEAN Summit – Photo: VGP
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Mentioning Việt Nam’s role in ASEAN, which is a “united and powerful association, the common roof for Southeast Asian nations, gradually occupying a central position in the processes of regional and international integration”, PM Dũng said that Việt Nam, since its accession to ASEAN in 1995, has always been an active and responsible member, significantly contributing to all ASEAN’s activities.
“Việt Nam has become an indispensable part of ASEAN”, emphasized the PM, adding that the country, together with other members, is sparing no effort to promote cooperation and integration in order to build up the ASEAN Community by 2015.
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In 2008, the trade turnover between Việt Nam and ASEAN countries was around US $30 billion (up 25% against 2007). Other ASEAN member nations are running 1,300 projects worth over US $44 billion in Việt Nam. Meanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises have poured over US $2.6 billion in more than 220 projects in ASEAN countries.
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On the China-ASEAN ties, PM Dũng showed his pleasure at the robust development of the ASEAN-China relationship in recent years, believing that this relationship will further flourish in the future, contributing to the regional peace, stability and development and serving as a role model for ASEAN's cooperation with external partners.
The dialogue and cooperation relations between ASEAN and China have developed for 18 years and are advancing to a new height marked by the approval of the 2003 joint statement on the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.
In the past years, the economic and trade cooperation of the two sides witnessed rapid development. ASEAN is now China's fourth largest trading partner which accounts for 11.2% of China's total import turnover.
The two sides have founded the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF) manipulated by the ASEAN Secretariat. China has donated US $1 million to the ASEAN Development Fund (ADF) and committed to another US $1 million donation for projects under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI).
PM Dũng revealed that, to enhance their trade, investment and tourism cooperation, ASEAN and China will ink an MoU on building an ASEAN-China Center in Beijing and an investment agreement as a necessary step to found the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area.
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ASEAN leaders at the 14 th ASEAN Summit – Photo: VGP
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In terms of politics and security, through ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), a channel for security dialogues, both sides have strengthened cooperation to build trust, enhance preventive diplomacy, and exchange military activities. China became ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), willing to join the protocol of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).
Asked about the measures taken by Việt Nam in its combat against crisis, PM Dũng said Việt Nam has unveiled a series of coordinated actions, focusing on enhancing production, promoting exports, stimulating investment and consumption, applying flexible fiscal and monetary measures, guaranteeing social security and speeding up poverty reduction.
Besides, the Vietnamese Government also put in place measures designed to ensure a sustainable development, including perfecting laws and regulations, intensifying anti-corruption efforts, improving infrastructure construction and strengthening environmental protection and conservation, the PM said.
"As an ASEAN member, Việt Nam is ready to cooperate with other countries within ASEAN and ASEAN + 3 mechanisms in efforts to cope with the international financial crisis and mitigate the impacts of the global downturn," said PM Dũng.
He also called on the international community, developed countries in particular, to join hands with underdeveloped and developing countries in tackling the economic downturn.
By Hồng Thúy
