PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc's remarks on occasion of 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP

On August 8, 2017, we, 630 million people of Southeast Asia, will officially welcome the “golden” time marking the 50^th anniversary of establishment and development of ASEAN. From the first five member States, ASEAN has grown to be a Community with 10 member States that could master its own destiny and become increasingly politically mature and economically steady with more improved institutions and more cohesive relations. Together, we are proud of the ASEAN common house - a very successful model of regional connectivity.

Throughout historical upheavals and far beyond initial expectations, ASEAN has turned Southeast Asia from confrontation to dialogue, from suspicion to cooperation, from disunity to solidarity, culminating in the formation of the ASEAN Community.

Today, as the region of peace, security, stability and development, Southeast Asia is the bright point on the world map full of uncertainties. The ASEAN Community is the world’s 6^th biggest economy with the annual GDP of nearly US$3 trillion. At the same time, ASEAN also features with diverse cultures and solidarity of the nations co-existing in peace with guaranteed social security and increasingly improved living standards.

In terms of external relations, including relations with powers, ASEAN has always been active in dialogue and cooperation, playing as the leading force of the regional mechanisms. ASEAN has always remained the pioneer in exchanging views constructively with partners on all issues ranging from climate change, anti-terrorism to peace and stability in the East Sea, thereby heightening the international position of ASEAN and individual member States as well.

Joining ASEAN in 1995, Viet Nam is proud to have worked side by side with the member States to contribute to the ASEAN common house up to the current days. In the past over two decades, Viet Nam’s footprints stamped in the ladders of ASEAN growth.

Ladies, gentlemen and friends,

The 21^st century poses great opportunities and challenges for ASEAN to realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 towards a rule-based, people-oriented and people-centered Community. ASEAN is undertaking reforms and adjustments in a more flexible and effective manner and above all continuing maintenance of the solidarity spirit that has been nurtured over the past five decades.

Viet Nam commits to working together with member States to be determined to build the ASEAN Community of solidarity and self-reliance; accelerate intra trade and investment, infrastructure development, and development gap reduction; cooperate effectively  in service of people, improve living standards, ensure social security, and promote the Community pride; build a rule-based Community, especially on the basis of international law and basic principles of international relations; improve effectiveness of cooperation with partners, maintain central role in the region as well as common position over regional and international issues.

Ladies, gentlemen and friends,

On the occasion of the ASEAN’s golden anniversary, I wish that all of us, all member States and citizens of the ASEAN Community would make great strides on the path of building a united and increasingly advancing Community for peace and prosperity.

HELLO ASEAN!