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PM Phuc’s full message on 53rd founding anniversary of ASEAN

VGP – The following is the full message of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the occasion of the 53rd founding anniversary of ASEAN and the 25th anniversary of Viet Nam’s ASEAN membership.

August 08, 2020 8:12 PM GMT+7

1. Today is a day of tremendous significance for our whole region as together we celebrate the birth of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which came into being on August 8, 1967.

After 53-year of establishment and development, true to its historical mission proclaimed in the 1967 Bangkok Declaration, ASEAN has indeed become an organization representing the nations in the region where its member countries are united in friendship, cooperation, mutual respect and understanding, and together striving for peace, progress and prosperity for the people of ASEAN.

From a group of first five members, ASEAN has developed into a Community of 10 nations in Southeast Asia with a population of 650 million and combined GDP of over US$3 trillion, the 5th largest economy in the world. ASEAN has expanded cooperation beyond to Southeast Asia, to many other partners inside and outside the region, including major powers. It is now a driver of cooperation and dialogue process for peace, security, stability and cooperation in Asia-Pacific and the world at large.

This is the fruit of an effort over many generations that we must treasure, preserve and build upon. Are we, then able to accomplish this mission and whether ASEAN, then be able to maintain its enduring values and vitality and live up to the aspirations and wishes of our people. This requires concerted efforts, solidarity, and a strong political will and determination of all the member countries.

The fundamental principles of ASEAN, regionally-recognized norms, and most of all, international law, the spirit of multilateral cooperation, regional connectivity, and ASEAN centrality need to be continually upheld. The value that ASEAN as a common market, unified production base, open space for travel and work, and a caring and sharing community need to be widely disseminated and make known to all so that our citizens and businesses can all partake of them and contribute to the development process of ASEAN.

2. Exactly 25 years ago, Viet Nam became a member of ASEAN. The Vietnamese flag – the yellow star upon red field – hoisted up with the national flags of other ASEAN member countries against the sky in Brunei Darussalam on July 28, 1995 will always be remembered as a major turning point for both Viet Nam and ASEAN.

A new journey was thus commenced, taking Viet Nam into the process of intensive and extensive regional and international integration. It can be said that Viet Nam’s development achievements over the past 25 years bear the distinct hallmark of its membership in ASEAN. At the same time, Viet Nam’s proactive, active and responsible participation in ASEAN has significantly contributed to the development and growth of the ASEAN Community.

In the spirit of “Cohesive and Responsive”, Viet Nam, as the ASEAN Chair 2020, gives high priority to the enforcement of solidarity, unity and effective coordination within ASEAN as well as enhancement of its relations with its partners with the aim to build the bloc’s resilience and responsiveness in facing unprecedented challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the dramatic and profound shifts and competition in the global and regional geostrategic environment. Throughout this process, we stress the need to uphold the rule of law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Overcoming the hardships and challenges of the present day, Viet Nam will work together with the ASEAN member countries towards successfully realizing the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the post-2025 ASEAN line, raising the profile of ASEAN and harnessing its role to contribute to peace, security, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

ASEAN is always an important pillar of Viet Nam’s foreign policy. A united, strong, prosperous, and resilient ASEAN Community that plays an important role and enjoys a high global profile is our common interest. This can only be done if all of us Think Community and Act Community.

Viet Nam has been making every effort, and will continue to do so alongside fellow ASEAN member states to realize this noble mission.

Thank you very much./.