Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at the press conference on October 15 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 37th ASEAN Summit is expectedto take place in mid-November, and as ASEAN Chair this year, Vietnam is joiningother member countries to actively prepare for this important event, accordingto Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang.
Speaking at the ministry’s regular pressconference on October 15, she said Vietnam are readying organisation plans toensure the security and effectiveness of the summit.
Given ASEAN’s principle of consensus, aftermember countries reach agreement on an organisation plan for the 37th ASEANSummit, more information will be provided, Hang noted.
Regarding information that some partnercountries, namely the US, Japan, India, and Australia, wish to strengthen tieswith ASEAN countries in terms of the freedom of navigation, the spokeswomansaid ASEAN always welcomes initiatives and ideas contributing to regionalpeace, stability, and prosperity.
She noted that as ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnamconsiders the building of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN as the main taskduring its chairmanship. On that basis, the country has been stepping up thecommunity building, affirming ASEAN’s central role in the regionalarchitecture, and expanding the bloc’s external relations.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic causing direct,long-term and profound impact on socio-economic aspects around the world andthe region, Vietnam wishes and is ready to join hands with ASEAN and partnercountries to recover the economy and stabilise people’s lives for anAsia-Pacific region of peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
During this process, international law and thespirit of dialogue and cooperation need to be upheld constantly, she added./.
VNA
