Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has spoken highly of Vietnam ’s initiatives and proposals in its capacity of ASEAN Chair in 2010.

During the year, Vietnam has made positive contributions to a number of programmes to increase ties among regional countries and proposed policy on assisting people in distress at sea, he told reporters on the sidelines of the 17 th ASEAN Summit and related meetings on Oct. 28.

Indonesia will take over the ASEAN Chairmanship from Vietnam next year, and the country will continue to deploy initiatives and proposals put forward at the 17 th Summit , the FM said.

As a result, the Indonesian government will create opportunities to enhance cooperation towards achieving ASEAN’s vision and successfully build an ASEAN Community by 2015, FM Natalegawa said.

The Indonesian diplomat described the participation of the US and Russia at the East Asia Summit (EAS) as “dynamic equilibrium” with ASEAN acting as the hub.

According to FM Natalegawa, “Connectivity in ASEAN is a prerequisite, a requirement before having a wider connectivity”.

There are more than 700 projects in ASEAN to promote internal connectivity as well as projects to boost regional connectivity within the EAS, he said.

He also emphasised that ASEAN must not lose its leadership amidst the participation of powerful countries in the region./.