Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is not only a production hub but also a solid pillar of diplomacy for the entire ASEAN region, said Dr. Julia Roknifard, a senior lecturer in international relations at Taylor's University (Malaysia).
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Kuala Lumpur on the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, she held that amid a rapidly changing regional geopolitical landscape, Vietnam is rising strongly to become a key player, playing an essential role in maintaining stability and fostering extensive cooperation within ASEAN.
According to her, since joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has undergone a remarkable transformation to become an indispensable link in the global supply chain by investing heavily in export-oriented industries and maintaining robust social stability.
The deep integration of Vietnam into the global supply network has created outstanding competitive advantages. With reasonable production costs and good supply capabilities, Vietnam is forecast to capitalise on opportunities more effectively than its neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, she stated.
This economic success not only brings prosperity but also serves as a crucial foundation to strengthen the public's trust in the State’s leadership, thereby maintaining internal cohesion and stability in the face of external challenges, she said, noting the focus on development for the benefit of the people has helped Vietnam build a harmonious society, creating momentum for more confident foreign policy decisions.
Dr. Julia Roknifard commented that Vietnam has solidified its international reputation through hosting major diplomatic events. These milestones highlight the country's policy of multilateralism and diversification, as well as its ability to maintain strategic partnerships that last for decades. Specifically, Vietnam's consistent pursuit of the principle of non-interference and its neutral stance in regional conflicts have made it a reliable partner and a key player in achieving consensus within ASEAN.
In the future, she anticipated that Vietnam's role will expand even further in building common security frameworks for ASEAN, ranging from disaster management to safeguarding critical sea lanes. With its strong foundation, Vietnam can make important contributions to establishing regional command structures to tackle both traditional and non-traditional security threats.
In terms of bilateral relations with Malaysia, she noted the two countries have ample opportunities to form joint maritime security cooperation to protect their interests in the East Sea and the Strait of Malacca, based on strategic similarities and close people-to-people ties.
Dr. Julia Roknifard voiced her high expectations for Vietnam to continue its development trajectory and serve as an "anchor" for regional stability. Additionally, Vietnam is expected to actively promote infrastructure connectivity and financial projects within ASEAN, such as cross-border payments in local currencies and digital currency integration, to mitigate external policy shocks.
With thorough preparation in both economic potential and diplomatic standing, she asserted that Vietnam is now positioned to seize great opportunities to assert its influence and lead ASEAN’s efforts in international integration in the new phase./.
VNA
