Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hands over the chairmanship hammer to the Ambassador of Brunei - ASEAN Chair 2021. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were a success andthe outcome is “amazing,” said Deputy Head of Mission of the PolishEmbassy in Hanoi MaciejDuszyński.
In aninterview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the sidelines of thesummits, the official lauded Vietnam’s success in chairing ASEAN this year at a difficult time.
The recordnumber of signed documents has demonstrated the efforts of Vietnam, he said,hailing ASEAN’s efforts in trade promotion, pandemic combat, digital economicdevelopment and women’s empowerment.
David De Leon J., Chargé d'affaires of the PanamaMinistry of Foreign Affairs, said Vietnam has made “a very good opportunity andgood outcome” this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
He highlightedthe signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreementby 10 ASEAN member countries and five partners of the bloc, and the accessionof Colombia, Cuba and South Africa to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation inSoutheast Asia (TAC).
“In LatinAmerica, for example Panama, we are looking forward to the region of ASEAN,” hesaid, explaining that with the RCEP Agreement, ASEAN will become one of the largestfree trade bloc.
ChékouOussouman, regionalrepresentative of the Asia and Pacific office of the InternationalOrganization of La Francophonie (OIF), said Vietnamhas proven that “we can go beyond the pandemic.”
He commendedVietnam’s endeavours to complete the big schedule in its capacity as ASEAN Chair2020.
Theoutcome of the summits is not only for Southeast Asia but also for the world becauseof the position of the region and expectations for new-generation people, hesaid.
“Theoutcome is inclusive, not exclusive,” he said, adding that some key results arebenefiting the word and the OIF is keeping attention to the management and ASEANChairmanship by Vietnam.
UNDPResident Representative for Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen also said Vietnam’s ASEANChairmanship 2020 is very extraordinary at the time of great uncertainties andchallenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thetheme selected for the ASEAN Year is appropriate and reflective, she said, emphasisingthe importance of being cohesive and responsive at this tough time.
“Vietnamhas much to be proud of. The UN force is very pleased to see the centralitythat is given to the multilateralism and the reinforcement of that which is soneeded at the time of uncertainties and challenges,” she said.
Accordingto Caitlin, the summits being organised are excellent examples of theinitiatives that have been taken to move forward, and ASEAN activities are verycreative and innovative, demonstrating the solidarity and cultural richness ofthe grouping.
Ambassadorof the Netherlands Elsbeth Akkerman congratulated Vietnam for not only itsorganisation of the summits but also its fulfillment of the ASEAN Chairmanship,saying Vietnam has chaired ASEAN in a very complex circumstance.
Thediplomat said the shift from in-person to online meetings amidst COVID-19 hasreflected the preparation, resilience and flexibility of ASEAN countries andpartners.
Itis a great achievement that deserves a big complement from the wholeinternational community, she said, adding: “ASEAN and Vietnam as the Chair dida great job. ASEAN and Vietnam really place the people of ASEAN at the heart oftheir efforts.”
Theambassador said there is a smooth transition from Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanshipto Vietnam, and Vietnam has completed that role, which deserves a goodcomplement./.
VNA
