ASEAN is the top priority in Vietnam ’s foreign policy and the assumption of the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2010 will have a great significance for the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

Addressing a ceremony to make public the approved symbol of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) 2010 as well as the associated website, Deputy PM Khiem said that ASEAN is one of the main focuses of Vietnam’s foreign policy, contributing to maintaining an environment of peace, stability and cooperation for national development and defence as well as increasing Vietnam’s international position in the region and the world.

The Deputy PM added that Vietnam considers the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2010 as an especially important event, showing clearly the role and position of Vietnam, which is strongly and successfully renovating and integrating widely and deeply into the international community in the spirit of “initiative, activeness and responsibility” and doing its utmost to build a united, strong and developed ASEAN greater family.”

The launch of the “ASEAN 2010” website, at http://www.asean2010.vn/ , plays an important role as it will provide official information from Vietnam and serve as an open door to welcome foreign friends, who are interested in ASEAN events in 2010.

The symbol of ASEAN 2010 is expected to be used in all meetings and related activities of ASEAN in Vietnam next year.

The symbol was selected from 205 entries, based on the idea of a three-winged propeller, a simple, traditional Vietnamese toy, imbrued with the dynamism and development of ASEAN./.