Vietnam PM Cheers ASEAN On 40th Anniversary

Vietnam PM Cheers ASEAN On 40th Anniversary

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung applauded the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on its success over the past 40 years, saying that it enjoys dynamic development and close cooperation and partnership with major countries and organisations in the world.

He made the remarks at a ceremony in Ha Noi on August 7 to mark the 40th anniversary of the ASEAN.

The following is the full text of his speech on this occasion:

"This day 40 years ago, ASEAN was founded. We gather here tonight to join other Southeast Asian peoples in cheerfully celebrating this event - an important milestone in the development of the Association.

This year, the commemorative ceremony is held under the Theme "One ASEAN at the Heart of Dynamic Asia". Indeed, over the last 40 years, ASEAN has become a very successful regional grouping, which enjoys dynamic development and close cooperation and partnership with major countries and organisations in the world.

ASEAN's strength and position were increasingly enhanced as the Association has grown to embrace all 10 Southeast Asian nations. That helps consolidate regional peace, stability and prosperity, promote cooperation and linkages among ASEAN member states, enhance its position in the international arena, and create premises for the strong development in the future.

Through APEC, EAS and ARF, ASEAN has played a central role in boosting cooperation in East Asia and Asia Pacific for the sake of peace and development.

Together with the regional people, we are very delighted at and proud of the great achievements that our Association has recorded over the last 40 years.

Today, ASEAN is facing a new juncture with many opportunities and challenges intertwined. To respond to rapid changes in the region and the world, ASEAN has agreed to uplift its cooperation and linkages by deciding to establish the ASEAN Community by 2015 based on all 3 pillars, namely the Security Community, Economic Community, and Socio-Cultural Community with an aim of building ASEAN into "A Concert of Southeast Asian Nations Bonded Together in A Community of Caring Societies". At the same time, ASEAN is working hard on the ASEAN Charter to lay a legal foundation for its development in the new stage
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To translate these noble ideas into reality, much remains to be done. Besides persisting with the time-tested fundamental principles, namely respect for independence and sovereignty, non-interference, consensus, unity in diversity and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, ASEAN should reform itself in many areas. There is an urgent need for the Association to improve its operational modality so that its cooperation will be more practical and effective. To increase ASEAN integration, bridging the gap among its members continues to be an extremely crucial and urgent task
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Since its inception and throughout 40 years of existence, ASEAN has always pursued the idea of building an open regional organisation. Given rapid changes in the world and Asia Pacific, this idea is even more relevant. More than ever before, ASEAN needs to maintain and consolidate its central role in the regional cooperation arrangements for peace, cooperation and development.

We believe that building on its successes and far-sighted visions, ASEAN will strongly advance in the coming years.

Viet Nam joined ASEAN in 1995 with the aim to building a regional environment conducive to the national development. Our participation in ASEAN during the last 12 years is a testimony to the wise policy pursued by our Party and State. Through the ASEAN cooperation, Viet Nam has continued to consolidate a peaceful and stable external environment, expand cooperation with regional countries, particularly in the economic and trade areas, increase the country's position and create premises for deeper integration into the regional and world economy.

In the meantime, our country has also made important contributions to the strengthening of ASEAN's unity, and the promotion of cooperation and linkages among its members as well as between ASEAN and its dialogue partners. The ASEAN Summit in 1998 and the Hanoi Action Plan remain a hallmark in the development of ASEAN.

Promotion of friendship and cooperation within ASEAN continues to be a priority in our foreign policy of multilaterlisation and diversification. The Government and people of Viet Nam will try their best to build a more cohesive and stronger ASEAN, making friendly relations between and among ASEAN members, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, closer and more effective.

On the occasion of the 40th ASEAN Day, on behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Government and people of the countries in the ASEAN family. I also wish ASEAN every success in building an ASEAN community for peace, stability and prosperity of the region as well as for peace, stability and cooperation in Asia Pacific and the world at large."

ENDS

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