Vietnam has made important contributions to implementing ASEAN priorities, including building the ASEAN Community, strengthening ASEAN connectivity and expanding the association’s foreign relations.

The statement was made by Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in an interview granted to the press on Nov. 19 as Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Bali after attending the 19 th ASEAN Summit and related summits.

Minh said that at the summits, the Vietnamese delegation has made proposals on strengthening the core role of ASEAN in the evolving regional structure and coordinating viewpoints at international forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), G20, and the UN as well as deepening relations between ASEAN and its partners, thus practically contributing to regional peace and stability, strengthening regional linkages, narrowing development gaps and boosting the sustainable development of subregions, including the Mekong Subregion.

Vietnam also called on the region and countries to join hands for the goal of peace, maritime security, safety and freedom in the region and in the East Sea , which are the common concerns and interests of the whole region and related countries.

Regarding the Mekong issues, the Vietnamese delegation discussed with Cambodia , Laos , Myanmar and Thailand on measures to boost the sustainable development, use, protection and management of Mekong River water resources, the minister said.
As a coordinator for dialogue relations at the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit, Vietnam, together with other ASEAN countries and China, have contributed to further strengthening the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership as well as coordinated in implementing activities to mark the 20 th anniversary of ties between the two sides.

ASEAN and China should continue fostering the effective implementation of the Plan of Action in the 2011-2015 period, including the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

On the sidelines of the summits, PM Dung attended met with leaders of many countries to discuss bilateral ties and issues of common interest.

Minister Minh said the 19 th ASEAN Summit and related summits that took place in Bali , Indonesia on Nov. 17-19, focused on speeding up the building of the ASEAN Community, regional connectivity, expanding and deepening relations between ASEAN and its partners.

They also discussed regional and international issues of common concern, especially issues relating to peace, security and cooperation in coping with emerging challenges such as natural disasters, climate change, maritime security and transnational crimes./.