Vietnam receives support in hosting APEC Year 2017: Deputy PM

Lima (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has affirmed that hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2017 is a priority in Vietnam’s external policy with an aim of strengthening the country’s international integration and enhancing multilateral external relations.

During the APEC Week in Lima, Peru, along with bilateral meetings, member economies and the business community showed strong support for the APEC 2017 in Vietnam, he said.

They agreed with Vietnam’s proposal for the event’s theme of “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future” as well as plan for holding activities throughout the year, he said.

This reflects their hope for new momentum helping APEC recover its economic and trade growth, expanding cooperation to new areas and deepening regional connections and meeting development demands of member economies, said the Deputy PM.

APEC members also focused on building a post-2020 APEC vision, improving the status of the forum, while fostering partnerships with Vietnam, he stated.

The Deputy PM said that Vietnam’s won trust thanks to the country’s achievements during its renewal process and its contributions to the forum in past years.

Vietnam’s external policy of independence and self-reliance and successful organisation of APEC Year 2006 were also lauded by members, he said.

The Deputy PM underscored that the APEC Year 2017 would show Vietnam’s strategic vision for the changing Asia-Pacific region and the country’s multilateral external relations’ growth.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son revealed that during the 24th APEC Week, which was held in Lima, Peru from November 14-20, leaders of member economies highlighted their determination to boost the liberalisation of trade and investment and to improve growth quality and people’s development.

He said that amidst the current difficult situation, this is a message of significant meaning, showing the pioneering role of the APEC in trade and investment liberalisation.

At the same time, participants reached a new step forwards in fostering regional connectivity through the adoption of two documents – the Lima Declaration on Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) and the roadmap for improving service competitiveness that aims at a 6.8 percent rise annually of APEC’s service growth.

The outcomes are expected to create momentum for the growth of service trade, raising labour productivity.

As part of joint efforts to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals, APEC members agreed to enhance links between rural and urban areas, strengthen food security and cooperation in developing food markets, boost the support industry, respond to climate change and manage water resources in a sustainable way.

APEC will continue promoting its role in coordinating with international and regional organisations and cooperation mechanisms, said Son, adding that APEC leaders met with leaders of the Asia-Pacific Alliance on cooperation prospects.

Leaders of the 12 member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) also joined the seventh Summit during which they affirmed their determination to continue speeding up the implementation of the deal to deepen regional connectivity, he said.

Regarding Vietnam’s contribution to the APEC Week as the host of the APEC Year 2017, Deputy FM Son said that the Vietnamese delegation, led by President Tran Dai Quang, attended all major events of the week, the TPP Summit and the high-level dialogue with the Asia-Pacific Alliance. President Quang addressed the closing of the APEC Business Summit.

Vietnam joined discussions on major issues at the events, stressing the need to forge sustainable growth, develop skills and improve labour productivity and competitivenss, especially for small firms.

Vietnam also shared its experience in cooperation in a number of areas including boosting the development of support industry growth, increasing the engagement of businesses to global supply and value chains and fostering the infrastructure system’s connection and developing institutions and people.

Vietnam also contributed to the conclusion of the strategic research on the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area, opening up a development space for businesses and Vietnam’s economy when the FTAAP is realised.

As the host of the APEC Year 2017, Vietnam gave ideas on orientations for APEC after 2020, while voicing messages on building an APEC for people and enterprises, he said.

Deputy FM Son also noted that during his stay in Lima, President Tran Dai Quang had a number of meetings and talks with leaders of APEC members, including the Presidents of Peru, China, Russia, the US, Chile, Brunei, and the Prime Ministers of Japan, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and the Indonesian Vice President.

The State leader also attended the Vietnam-Peru Business Foum and met leaders of many leading firms of the region.

During the meetings, they discussed expanding bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation at multilateral forums, including the APEC.

Vietnam and Peru also signed an agreement on partnership in culture, fisheries and fighting drugs, while deciding to create favourable conditions for businesses of each country to access the Southeast Asian and Latin American markets, and boosting affiliation in telecommunications and oil and gas.

Leaders of the economic groups spoke highly of Vietnam’s economic outlook as well as the country’s efforts to improve its investment environment. They affirmed their wish to invest in Vietnam to take advantage of the country’s international integration, including the joining of the ASEAN Community and new generation free trade agreements. They pledged to join APEC Year 2017 in Vietnam, said Son./.