ASEAN+3 cooperation lauded

The 16th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, Brunei, October 10, 2013 - Photo: VGP

In spite of global economic instability, trade value between the bloc and the three partners rose by 5%, reaching US$712 billion in 2012.

The leaders affirmed their priorities on implementing cooperation agreements, particularly in economics, trade, investment and finance, together with realizing the new roadmap on initiatives in the Asian bond market, infrastructure bonds and conducting negotiations on a Regional Comprehensive Economic  Partnership (RCEP).

They agreed to enhance cooperation in security, politics, responses to traditional and  non-traditional security challenges, including energy security, food security and safety, environment, responses to natural disasters, sustainable development, health, education, human resource development, tourism, information and communication and people-to-people exchanges.

They also approved the ASEAN 3 Working Plan to 2017, decided to implement the ASEAN 3 Partnership on Connectivity as soon as possible, including establishing an ASEAN 3 Fund on regional infrastructure connectivity and continuing to expand the Chiang Mai Initiative.

Addressing the gathering, PM Nguyen Tan Dung valued the three partners’ commitment to continuing their effective cooperation with ASEAN, supporting the bloc to realize major goals in the community construction and connectivity and backing the bloc’s central role in the region.

He said that forming a regional structure has brought both new opportunities and challenges to all countries. This requires the countries to follow basic principles and carry out main cooperation orientations in the high-level statement on the 15th anniversary of ASEAN 3, in order to deepen the cooperation, laying a material foundation for a community in East Asia in the future.

PM Dung urged all sides to focus on strengthening comprehensive and effective cooperation, enhancing economic links, facilitating trade and investment and establishing a free trade agreement in East Asia in the future.

He said that the countries should continue to bolster ties in stabilizing the macro-finace via implementing effectively the multilateral agreement on the Chiang Mai Initiative, as well as links in the ASEAN 3 frameworks in infrastructure, transportation, people-to-people exchange.

In addition, the Government leader urged the countries to foster cooperation in responding to global issues and political security.

By Vien Nhu