Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Hosting the APEC Year in 2017 is one of the key diplomatic activities for Vietnam in line with the country’s policy on promoting comprehensive international integration and multi-lateral external relations, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Talking to the press ahead of President Truong Tan Sang’s trip to the Philippines for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum Summit, the Deputy FM said the active participation in the APEC Year 2015 is also part of the process of making preparations for the APEC Year 2017.
The official noted that since early this year, Vietnam has been contributing ideas and recommendations to APEC meetings at different levels, particularly Senior Officials Meetings, ministerial meetings and the upcoming Summit Week. The country’s initiatives in the fields of response to natural calamities, energy, food security, human resource development and support for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMES) were appreciated by APEC member economies, he said, stressing that these ideas will serve as materials and the basis for drafting contents of the APEC Year 2017.
Deputy FM Son said while Vietnam already hosted APEC Year in 2006, many things have changed since then, from the country’s domestic situation to international and regional settings. The APEC’s role in the region has also risen remarkably with deeper cooperation on a much wider scope. Therefore, Vietnam needs to learn from experiences of other countries, including the Philippines.
President Truong Tan Sang will attend the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, from November 17 – 19 at the invitation of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.
Established in November 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum now comprises 21 economies, representing around 39 percent of the world’s population, 57 percent of total global GDP and 47 percent of international trade.
Vietnam became an APEC member in 1998. The country hosted the APEC Year in 2006.-VNA
