Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at ASEM 12 (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visits toAustria, Belgium, Denmark and the European Union (EU) have arrived at a finesuccess that created many breakthroughs and an important driving force to bringVietnam’s relations with partners to a depth, manifesting Vietnam’sresponsibility to the international community’s common issues.
So said Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister of Foreign AffairsBui Xuan Son of the prominent significance and outcomes of the Europe tour byPM Phuc from October 14-20.
In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency on the tour,Son said leaders of the countries and the EU had frank and practical exchangesof ideas with PM Phuc. They attached great importance to the relations withVietnam and highly valued the country’s international and regional position androle. They also expressed their support to the settlement of the disputes inthe East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of the international law,especially the 1982 United Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Son pointed out that Vietnam and the EU strived to push forthe early signing, ratification and implementation of the EU – Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA). TheEuropean Commission’s adoption of a decision to submit the EVFTA right duringthe tour is a timely decision that meets the current requirement and the twosides’ interest, Son stressed.
Concerning the prominent outcomes and significance of the12th Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit, Deputy FM Son said the statement ofthe chairman of the summit sent out a strong message on the determination ofthe ASEM members to strengthen the Asia – Europe relations in coping with theglobal challenges and working out orientations to raise the ASEM cooperation inthe time to come.
First, it is necessary to bring into full play the pioneerrole that pushes up the multilateral cooperation and international order on thebasis of the law, with the United Nations playing the central role.
Secondly, efforts should be made to accelerate the links intoa cooperation orientation of ASEM.
Thirdly, commitments have been affirmed for the maintenanceof peace, stability, security, maritime safety, navigation and aviation freedomon the basis of respect to all the basic principles of the international law.The members stressed the importance of the peaceful settlement of the disputesin line with the international law, especially the UN Charters and the UNCLOS,refraining from the use or the threat to use force or unilateral actions thatrun counter to the UNCLOS, and carrying out measures to build trust andpracticing self restraint. The meeting supported the important contributions byASEAN to peace, security, stability and prosperity in Asia – Pacific and theworld over, as well as ASEAN’s role in the regional structure. The success ofthe 12th ASEM summit continues to affirm the practicality, dynamic developmentand position of ASEM that creat new driving forces for the partnership andconnection between Asia and Europe.
As a founding member of ASEMand P4G Summit, Vietnam contributed to their common success. At ASEM 12, PMPhuc was one of the eight leaders of 53 ASEM member states invited to make a keynotespeech and deliver an important speech at the 16th Asia-EuropeBusiness Meeting (AEBM 16).
Member states spoke highly ofVietnam’s practical proposals to lift Asia-Europe partnership in the thirddecade, especially upholding ASEM’s vanguard role in promoting multilateralcooperation and coping with global challenges, stepping up inclusivesocio-economic development, and connecting innovation and ASEM human resourcesdevelopment centres, as well as female entrepreneurs.
In order to effectively copewith climate change, Vietnam urged developed nations to help developing onesaccess finance and technological transfer, and invest in clean energy. At thesame time, ASEM needs to contribute to common efforts to reduce the release ofplastic waste into oceans, sustainable trans-border water resources managementand promote collaboration between the Mekong and Danube Sub-regions.
Vietnam also received supportfor two proposals on developing ASEM cooperation in inclusive socio-economicdevelopment and promotion of digital economy amid the fourth Industrial Revolution.
Member states welcomed Vietnam’ssuggestion on promoting dialogue and cooperation to maintain peace, securityand stability in Southeast Asia, including the East Sea. Participants at theAEBM 16 lauded Vietnam’s proposal to hold regular dialogues to promote ASEMEconomic Ministers’ Meeting and dialogues between economic ministers andbusiness community.
At the P4G Summit held forthe first time under the chair of Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen, theVietnamese PM highlighted the importance of strengthening global efforts inresponse to climate change, affirming that Vietnam will work closely with theforum’s member governments to realise global green growth goals 2030, stayready to launch initiatives on public-private partnership in green growth, especiallyin energy and renewable energy saving,agriculture and water resources, smart urban development.
The leader shared Vietnam’sexperience in achieving the forum’s common goals, including the establishmentof the P4G national forum.
Vietnam urged ministries,agencies, local authorities and businesses to join initiatives on plastic wastemanagement and promotion of waste classification, as well as build a jointfinancial model in water supply and drainage in Vietnam.
On the occasion, PM Phuc heldnearly 20 official and sideline meetings with his counterparts from China,Russia, the UK, Norway, Spain, Finland, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy andSlovenia; Presidents of France and the Republic of Korea; and President of theEuropean Commission.
Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Pham Binh Minh also met President of Cyprus Republic, SwedishForeign Minister and Portuguese Secretary ofState for European Affairs.-VNA
VNA
