Laying a solid foundation for ASEAN’s further development

Vietnamese PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng (center) presides over the press conference on results of the 17th ASEAN Summit, October 30, 2010 -  Photo: VGP/ Nhật Bắc

The summit approved important documents, including a master plan on ASEAN connectivity, a statement on human resources and skills development for economic recovery and sustainable growth, and a declaration on the enhancement of welfare and development of ASEAN women and children.

ASEAN FMs also adopted the ASEAN Declaration on joint search and rescue of people and ships  in distress on the sea.

The ASEAN summit agreed to accelerate ASEAN’s linkages and centrality, partly by strengthening ASEAN 1, ASEAN 3, EAS, ARF, and ADMM .

ASEAN decided to build up a diversified regional structure for peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

ASEAN leaders agreed to lift ASEAN 1 ties to a new height through many suitable measures, including top level dialogues. Besides the strategic partnerships with China and Japan, ASEAN will establish the same relations with the Republic of Korea and the US. ASEAN agreed to admit the US and Russia to the East Asia Summit (EAS).

The countries pledged to make greater efforts at national, regional and international levels to combat global challenges.

The leaders also exchanged views on some regional and international issues of common concerns such as situations in Myanmar, the Eastern Sea and the Korean Peninsula.