Foreign Minister attends ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat in Laos
VGP - ASEAN needs to maintain a balanced and objective approach, and raise its role and voice in addressing issues related to peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (fifth to left) attends the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM)' Retreat that took place in Luang Prabang city, Laos, on January 29 - Photo: VNA
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son made the above statement while attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM)' Retreat that took place in Luang Prabang city, Laos, on January 29.
Bui suggested ASEAN continue to strengthen digital and infrastructure connectivity, and people-to-people links while promoting intra-bloc trade and investment so that the bloc can be the epicenter of growth.
Viet Nam always advocates and stands ready to support Laos to undertake its role as the Chair of ASEAN this year, underscored the minister.
He underlined the need to effectively implement cooperation strategies towards 2045, adding that these strategies require an inclusive, comprehensive, and creative approach.
He took the occasion to invite the regional foreign leaders to attend the ASEAN future forum on rapid, sustainable, people-centered development that will be held in Viet Nam.
The forum, also initiated by Viet Nam, aims to create a platform for officials, experts, and scholars to exchange views and make policy recommendations regarding ASEAN development, connectivity, and cooperation.
Viet Nam will participate in and contribute to upcoming events such as the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia, and the 24th EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Belgium, he emphasized.
As a coordinator for ASEAN- South Korea relations, Viet Nam proposed upgrading the relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership to mark the 35th founding anniversary of ASEAN-Korea relations in 2024.
ASEAN should maintain its solidarity and consensus, and uphold its independence and self-reliance amidst the unprecedented global challenges, Bui noted.
The Vietnamese minister and other delegates re-affirmed ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea, suggesting the bloc consistently support Myanmar.
Viet Nam advocates and is willing to cooperate with the Chair of ASEAN and the Special Envoy on the Myanmar issue, he reiterated.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM)'s Retreat concluded in Luang Prabang, Laos, with participants agreeing on Thailand's initiative to establish a humanitarian corridor to provide aid for people displaced due to conflict in Myanmar.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said Thailand has proposed a plan to establish a humanitarian corridor to ensure the provision of assistance for displaced people in Myanmar or those fleeing to Thailand.
He also stated that the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries welcomed Myanmar sending representatives to attend this AMM's Retreat, and expressed confidence that increasing contacts will help Myanmar and ASEAN member countries as well as the international community understand each other better./.
