Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Foreign Minister and head of theSOM ASEAN Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung has highlighted the higher awarenessof ASEAN’s values amid increasing difficulties.
Dung made the statement in an interview granted to the pressfollowing the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-54) thatwas held virtually from August 2-6. The event comprised 20 ASEAN ministerialmeetings and those between ASEAN and partners within the frameworks of the ASEAN+1,ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
He said AMM-54 took place at a special time when the blocfaced various challenges such as the new outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, intensestrategic competition among major powers, and complicated developments in theEast Sea and Myanmar.
According to him, the event was a success with determination toimplement the Five-Point Consensus reached by leaders, including sending the secondForeign Minister of Brunei to Myanmar as ASEAN Chair's special envoy, and launchinghumanitarian activities in support of Myanmar via the ASEAN Coordinating Centrefor Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management.
ASEAN member states also vowed to continue with mutual supportplans to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The bloc received commitments frompartner countries, vaccines and post-pandemic economic recovery plans. It alsoagreed to allow the UK to become its dialogue partner.
About Vietnam’s initiatives at AMM-54, Dung said Vietnam dealtwith difficulties and obstacles due to different opinions at the event. Vietnaminitiated and urged countries to reach an agreement on Myanmar, grant thestatus of ASEAN’s dialogue partner to the UK, and boost collaboration betweenASEAN and partner nations. Partner countries also pledged to assist ASEAN in vaccinesupplies and transfer of vaccine production technology.
Regarding ASEAN Community building, Dung said comprehensiveplans for the effort till 2025 have been carried out in the three pillars. Up to 96percent of political-security pillar, 88 percent of economic pillar and 72percent of social-cultural pillar have been completed, which are encouragingresults.
Asked about “hot” issues tabled for discussion at the event,Dung said Myanmar vowed to help ASEAN Chair’s special envoy fulfilled assigned tasks.Meanwhile, the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, which was established in 2020,has so far received 20.5 million USD from ASEAN member states and partnercountries. The bloc decided to use 10.5 million USD to buy vaccines for itsmembers via partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund./.
